Mind Australia’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs are providing an invaluable link to support services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people throughout Victoria.
The Hubs, funded by the Victorian government since 2021, act as a ‘front door’ service to the mental health system, to provide Victorians of all ages with faster access to mental health support. They provide short-term psychosocial support without a waitlist.
Mind currently delivers the Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs in Abbotsford, Coburg North, Cowes, Footscray, Greensborough, Omeo, Werribee and Wonthaggi. Through these Hubs, Mind’s qualified and experienced practitioners are supporting multiple people whose first language is not English.
“Our staff are using interpreters to assist service users to find a wide range of other supports and to build-up their support networks,” Tarsha Lee, Mind Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs Team Leader, said.
“In some cases, people have hoped to receive these supports from other services but have been unsuccessful. We also encourage people to choose their preferred interpreter, if they have a preference, to reduce re-traumatisation and maintain their privacy where rights have been breached in the past by interpreter services.”
Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs have supported Turkish, Persian, Arabic and southeast Asian people who are experiencing mental health challenges to manage their wellbeing. Staff work to truly understand and support a person’s cultural needs, and help them by exploring longer-term support options to ensure they can become well, and then stay well.
The Hubs have been especially valuable for CALD people who often experience mental health related stigma in their communities. This can make it difficult for them to access support, at the risk of being seen and shamed by members of their community.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs provide telephone and online supports, which can be a lifesaver for people who are scared to be seen entering a support service or talking to a support worker in public.
Mind CEO Gill Callister says the Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, which face an uncertain future with their current funding due to end in June 2025, are particularly valuable for CALD communities at the moment due to ongoing conflict and cultural tension around the world.
“In the middle of a cost of living crisis it is important that Victorians have access to free mental health support. The average out of pocket cost for visiting a psychologist or GP under a mental health plan is around $100 – this is too much for many people and it discourages them from seeking support,” Ms Callister said.
“The Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs provide such an important, accessible source of mental health support.”
To access a Hub in one of these areas call Mind Connect on 1300 286 463. To access a Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub in another area call 1300 375 330
Find out more about Mind’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs.