Submission to the Productivity Commission’s final review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement
FECCA’s submission to the Productivity Commission’s review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement highlights significant gaps in mental health support for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. It identifies barriers such as language difficulties, cultural stigma, systemic discrimination and a lack of culturally competent mental health services. Mental health support must be tailored to CALD individuals, incorporating intersectional factors like migration status, trauma history and socio-economic challenges. The submission calls for an increased investment in community-led mental health initiatives, better data collection on mental health outcomes, and improved access to culturally safe and affordable services.
FECCA also stresses the need for a diverse mental health workforce, including bilingual professionals, and more comprehensive cultural competency training for mental health practitioners. Advocating for targeted suicide prevention strategies, particularly for refugees and asylum seekers, who face heightened risks due to prolonged uncertainty and social isolation. The submission urges the government to integrate cultural responsiveness into national mental health policies. These recommendations aim to create a more inclusive and accessible mental health system that better serves Australia’s multicultural population.
