Synopsis:

Cultural and linguistic diversity is both a core feature of the Australian population and a valued element of national identity and a challenge for effective service delivery. Although all are agreed that organization of services and clinical practice should be informed by high quality evidence, and that collection and analysis of mental health data is central to moving toward equity in health, mental health research in Australia frequently excludes non-English speaking participants. This presentation will explore this issue and suggest some ways to improve CALD mental health research and the quality and accessibility of mental health services.

Speaker: Harry Minas

Director, Centre for International Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne

Director, Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit, St Vincent’s Health Melbourne

Chair of Executive, Mental Health in Multicultural Australia.

Harry Minas’ work is in three broad areas:

1. mental health system development, particularly in low-resource and post-conflict settings;

2. culture and mental health, with a focus on mental health of immigrant and refugee communities and the development of services for culturally diverse societies; and

3. the human rights of people with mental illness.