The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) is calling for consumers and carers from multicultural communities to join an advisory group that aims to improve mental health care for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people.
The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said today: “We urge carers and consumers from CALD backgrounds with an interest in this important area of health care to get involved.
“The National Multicultural Mental Health Project will be run by Mental Health Australia, FECCA and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) and funded with $3.9 million by the Department of Health.
“We are inviting individuals from CALD backgrounds with a personal experience of mental health issues or who have cared for a person with mental health issues to apply to become members of the CALD Mental Health Consumer and Carer Group.
“This group will be a key source of advice to the National Multicultural Mental Health Project, ensuring that the views and interests of CALD consumers and carers are included.”
Ms Patetsos said that the group would have up to 16 members, selected from various communities and all states and territories. It would continue for the funded project period to 31 December 2020.
As the lead organisation on the project, Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan says the aim is to establish an advisory group which represents the diversity of multicultural communities from all across Australia.
“The advice of people from multicultural communities, who have experienced mental health issues, or cared for someone who has experienced mental health issues, will be essential to the success of the overall project and to improving the system,” said Mr Quinlan.
“This is an opportunity to make a difference, and to ensure this important national project strongly reflects the views and interests of the multicultural communities it serves, and we welcome people with a range of experiences from different backgrounds to take part.”
Further information and application forms are available here.
For any questions on the application process, contact Pauline Gwatirisa at FECCA: 02 6282 5755 or pauline@fecca.org.au.
Media Contact:
Emma Campbell, CEO, FECCA – 0424 910 617
Lachlan Searle, Director External Relations, Mental Health Australia – 0488 076 088