Settlement Guide: Access to mental health services is vital for refugees

Refugee family

Refugee family Source: Getty Images

Every year, thousands of refugees and asylum seekers arrive in Australia. They are often fleeing war, persecution and torture. Making sure they can access healthcare, including mental health services, is an important part of their settlement. But the Australian healthcare system can bring new challenges for them. A report presented by Anita Barar


Providing early support for refugees and asylum seekers makes integration much smoother.

 

Australia's Humanitarian Settlement Services program (HSS) provides practical support to humanitarian entrants for up to a year after they arrive.

 

Service providers like Settlement Services International (SSI), in New South Wales, deliver the program on behalf of the Australian Government.

 

Yamamah Agha is the HSS Service Delivery Manager at SSI. She says several health services are available to refugees.

 

When it comes to mental health, many asylum seekers are affected by the trauma they faced in their country.

 

Samantha Ratnam also insists that not all asylum seekers have access to mental health services and that even when they do, only a handful of people are qualified to help them.

 

Then, the language barrier adds another level of difficulty. Talking about sensitive health issues in a language thats not your mother tongue is not ideal.

 

This is why there are interpreters available, but Yamamah Agha says it's not always easy to get them to specialist appointments.

 

Some medical professionals rely on the patient's family members to interpret - and that can be problematic.

 

The translation might not be reliable and, sometimes, children are being exposed to heavy issues.

 

Olivia Nguy is the client service manager at the Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre in Sydney's Western suburbs.

 

She says they noticed high levels of mental health concerns among their clients.

Despite mental health issues being common, Olivia Nguy says there's still a stigma around them.

This is why organisations like the Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre run information sessions around the adjustment process and mental health in general.

 

They try to demystify mental health concerns and reassure people that it's quite common.

 

However, mental health services need to go hand in hand with other types of support. Because as Samantha Ratnam says, it's hard to think about your headspace if you're worried about your next meal.

 

Something to think about as Refugee Week is held in Australia from 18 to 24 June.

 

Australians are encouraged to celebrate the courage of refugees and acknowledge the skills and energy refugees bring to the country.

 

For more information visit dss.org.au or refugeeweek.org.au

 

 

 

 

But Samantha Ratnam, the client services manager at Footscray's Asylum Seeker Resource Center, says that what they have to deal with in Australia is also stressful.

 

 


Share
Download our apps
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Hindi-speaking Australians.
Ease into the English language and Australian culture. We make learning English convenient, fun and practical.
Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS Hindi News

SBS Hindi News

Watch it onDemand