What do you think of the multicultural mental health page of the main beyondblue website?

[Donte]

Hi all,

If you are from a culturally and linguistically diverse background and haven't browsed through the multicultural mental health page of the main beyondblue website, please take a moment to do so.

If you have looked at it in the past, would you please visit it again and have a fresh look? Beyondblue is hoping to revamp this page with better information and user friendly tools, and are wanting to provide information on various topics such as those listed below:

-the importance of seeking support
-demystify the language by using positive mental health terms
-clarify ideas around mental health conditions to make aware that this is common and can be supported in many different ways
-use language on the site that won’t turn people off such as worry, frustrations etc rather than ‘mental health illness’

I'd like to consult with you and ask you to have a look at the site and provide feedback on this thread as to what you think would be useful and helpful to be included on there.

Let's all work together to make this site a more user-friendly for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and maximize its usage.

Please let me know what you think. Let's share ideas and discuss. 🙂

[Mod note: this post has been updated to include a link to the page being referred to]

[Hayfa]

Hi Donte'

this is a great idea and perhaps if I could ask anyone that is interested in providing their story about their migration experience, settling into Australia, depression or recovery or any related story they wish to share on the Multicultural People page of the beyondblue website, please email me on

hayfa.kaassamani@beyondblue.org.au

[Donte]

The more I think about it, the more I think a spade should be called a spade.

I acknowledge that there is stigma in many communities in regards to mental illness and this is a barrier to seeking help, and this needs to be adequately addressed in meaningful ways, however, being stressed or worried about something and being diagnosed with a mental illness and trying to manage it is quiet a different thing.

Perhaps, the site can differentiate on mental health versus mental illness. We could explore good stress versus distress. Preventative measures and strategies for building resilience and enhancing ones wellbeing are important but also, equally important is to provide strategies for managing mental illness within the culturally and linguistically diverse context a particular individual finds themselves in.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Donte’, Hayfa and all,

Wonderful ideas 🙂

I love your digital stories idea.

Also, I think exploring “good stress versus distress” and “mental health versus mental illness” would be wonderful. I feel it would give the reader/viewer some sort of benchmark of wellness versus identifying red flag symptoms to seek help.

This might be particularly helpful for people who come from CALD backgrounds where mental health issues aren’t really discussed. It would give a nice overview of the 2 ends of the wellness spectrum, and perhaps prompt them to assess their own health status, and where they sit on the spectrum...

Pepper

[Donte]

Person-centred approach is only possible when people, their families and carers are able to be actively involved in the negotiation of care plans and contracts with service providers. Effective communication is also essential to the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of people.

Communication poses a challenge for people who speak languages other than English and are having to navigate and access the Beyondblue website in English, a language they may not be able to communicate in if they do not read or write.

Family and friends play a critical role in communication with older people who speak languages
other than English. However it is important that they are not seen as a substitute in accessing the website. The use of family and friends can lead to lack of accuracy, breaking confidentiality, conflicts of interest and increased risk in misinterpretation and misdiagnosis.

The production and availability of high quality translated material is vital in supporting your
communication efforts with people who speak languages other than English. This can be done by
accessing existing materials which have been already translated by other organisations or producing
translations of materials which are specific to your own organisation. Materials can range from
information/promotion about services, wellbeing and health related information, consumer rights etc.