Hearing the silence: supporting the mental health of bilingual children in Australia

When a child speaks Urdu — or any other language — at home but lives in an English-speaking world outside, a unique inner conflict can emerge. Their emotions, thoughts, and sense of identity may begin to feel divided. Sometimes, they may feel as though they don’t fully belong anywhere—not entirely like their parents, and not completely part of the Australian environment. In such cases, psychotherapy can play a vital role in helping them navigate these challenges.

Areba Sadiq is a Melbourne-based psychologist who is interested in working with young people to overcome numerous challenges presented during the adolescent stage (Supplied by Areba Sadiq)

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اردو بولنے والے آسٹریلوی بچوں کی خاموشی سنیں — ذہنی صحت کی ضرورت پر ایک نظر

SBS Urdu

07:45Urdu

Speaking to SBS Urdu, Melbourne-based therapist Areeba Sadiq said that if we want our children to grow up confident, happy, and resilient, we must pay attention to their emotions—no matter what language they are expressed in.

Psychotherapy offers a valuable path forward, especially for children who are trying to become a beautiful bridge between two worlds.

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