Australia is celebrated for its rich tapestry of cultures and stories. How practitioners respond to this diversity can shape people’s experience when seeking mental health support.
While safety and inclusion are essential in healthcare settings, there are still times when bias and assumptions can get in the way.
That’s why MHPN is exploring safe and inclusive care this September.
What is safe and inclusive care?
- Person-centred
- Identity-affirming
- Culturally responsive
- Trauma-informed
- Collaborative
Practitioners across all disciplines and career stages share responsibility for safe and inclusive care.
Why is it a priority?
- A growing majority of Australians have a migrant background. We know from the last ABS Census in 2021 that more than half of Australians were either born overseas or have at least one parent who was born overseas.
- Barriers to access and participation disproportionately affect First Nations, LGBTQIA+ and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities.
- Safe and inclusive care can mitigate physical, psychological and cultural risks in practice.
- All of us have biases, but they can be difficult to recognise and respond to – even with the best of intentions.
MHPN invites all mental health professionals to join us over the next four weeks as we lean into curiosity and explore safe and inclusive care across diverse social contexts.
Podcast | Wednesday 16th September
Understand cultural bias
- What it is
- How it shows up in practice
- What to do about it
Webinar | Wednesday 23rd September
Gain insights into cultural safety and inclusion
- Why it matters in mental health care
- How to embed it in your practice
- What skills you need to sustain it long-term
Podcast | Wednesday 30th September
Build knowledge around sustainable practice
- What effective boundaries look like when supporting individuals with personality disorders
- How to implement and maintain effective boundaries
Subscribe to Mental Health in Practice to be among the first to hear about upcoming podcast episodes.
Keen to learn more about safe and inclusive care?
Listen to our podcast episode on strengthening your practice through humility and curiosity.
Watch our webinar recording on culturally responsive practice for children and families.
Join our multicultural networks to collaborate with peers.
- Adelaide African, Indigenous and CALD Mental Health Network
- Adelaide Multicultural Mental Health Professionals’ Network
- Sydney Multicultural Mental Health Professionals’ Network
- Australian Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Network
- Dandenong Multicultural Mental Health Network
- Eastern Suburbs Chinese-Focused Mental Health Network
