HEADSPACE Swan Hill is encouraging young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to reach out for support with their mental health in their new “Strength in my roots” campaign.
From this week, headspace Swan Hill will begin sharing with the community the mental health stories of migrants and refugee young people, as well as their family and friends.
The “Strength in my roots” resources are part of a national campaign to break down mental health stigma in refugee and migrant communities, to reassure other young people from diverse backgrounds that there is no shame in reaching out for help.
headspace National Youth Reference Group member Lehan Zhang appears in the campaign, and says their Chinese-Australian family initially struggled to understand their experiences of autism, ADHD and anxiety.
“That can make it hard to identify that something isn’t right with your mental health, and can make getting support more difficult too,” Lehan said.
“But the more I’ve learned about mental health and the more I’ve shared my own experiences – whether it’s with my friends and family, or to headspace – the more confident I feel.”
headspace Swan Hill manager Kirsty Jacobs said the intersection between mental health and culture can be complex for young people.
“Many young people from multicultural backgrounds find great strength and resilience in connecting with their culture and community,” Ms Jacobs said.
“But for young people from cultures in which mental health and wellbeing are not talked about openly, or that look at mental health in a different way to other Australians, it can be a difficult topic to discuss.
“There can also be extra challenges that come from navigating the world as a multicultural young person in Australia, like feeling different from the people around you and even experiencing racism and discrimination.”
Ms Jacobs said it is important for young people to remember that they can seek support for their mental health while still honouring their cultural identity.
“How you feel is valid, and there are people who can help and support you through hard times,” she said.
As well as videos, there are also online resources available at the headspace website to help young people, their family and friends to find the support that they need.
To contact headspace Swan Hill for support, call 1800975115, or visit headspace.org.au.
