How we connect with each other can differ between cultural backgrounds, which is why Mind Australia has employed staff from cultures that reflect the communities we are supporting through our Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services.
Nanchok Chol is a Bicultural Worker at the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Melton (servicing Melton City). A Bicultural Worker is someone who knows and understands multiple cultures, and is employed to use this knowledge as part of their work.
Nanchok is originally from South Sudan and now lives in Melton, which is home to the second largest South Sudanese community in Victoria. The 28-year-old says it’s helpful for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities to be able to relate with someone from their own background when seeking support for their mental health and wellbeing.
“A service is more approachable when it embraces and understands cultural diversity. Mental health is different in all communities, and information can often come from a very white lens and so it doesn’t always integrate with all communities,” Nanchok said.
“A lot of the [mental health] information out there comes from a western approach. For me personally, it doesn’t take into account holistic approaches of how other communities collectively heal and process things.
“Mind has been conscious of that while establishing the Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals; how do we make the service culturally safe and how do we raise awareness of the service amongst the demographics in Melton.”
Nanchok’s South Sudanese heritage has been an asset to her community engagement work through the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, particularly helping South Sudanese people who are experiencing mental health challenges to reach out for and access support.
“There are a lot of barriers in regards to what the South Sudanese community thinks about mental health and the way community is conditioned to think about mental health,” she said.
“A lot of South Sudanese people view people with mental health with labels and attach stigma to that person, and because of that people feel less inclined to access services. It takes a long time for someone to admit they are struggling. They are also worried about being viewed as incapable.
“Through the Local we try to cater support to what the person needs, so I am meeting people in the library, in their homes or talking over the phone. There are people I speak to in my mother tongue so they can understand how they can receive support.”
Staff at the service also include people who hail from Africa, India, south-east Asia and Australia. A number of staff have a lived experience of mental health challenges. Thanks to our partnership with Thorne Harbour Health, there are also staff who identify as members of the LGBTIQA+ community, so there is bound to be an ally or an accepting and understanding member of the local community ready to help.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Melton is available for people aged 26 years and over to get mental health and wellbeing care and support. All support is free, voluntary and easy to access, and you do not need a referral from your doctor to access help.
Mind Australia manages the Melton Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, as well as the locals in Greater Dandenong and Greater Bendigo-Loddon-Campaspe.
For free local support call (03) 8732 3200.