Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Project – Phase 2

Focus: Representatives from the Department of Health will present on the recently released Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework and Blueprint. This session will provide valuable insights into the implementation of the Framework with opportunities for Q&A and discussion. All the relevant documents are available here: Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework and Blueprint | health.vic.gov.au

Focus: This session explores the emotional and psychological impact of displacement, the challenges of resettlement, and the vital role mental health plays in the refugee journey.

Presenter: Cecelia Lopez, Practice Lead – Foundation House

Focus: 

• Commission overview and functions
• Complaints handling
• Trauma-informed conflict resolution
• Community Engagement Framework implementation

Presenter: Maggie Toko (she/her) – Consumer Commissioner

Focus: This call focused on the specific mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by the LGBTIQA+ refugee and/or asylum seeker community. The session, part of our ongoing commitment to capacity building initiatives in the mental health and refugee settlement sectors through learning, collaboration and centring lived experience, explored barriers to accessing support, as well as available referral pathways to services and supports. A dedicated resource document was distributed, outlining services, research, and training opportunities.

Presenter: Dr. Tina Dixson (she/her) – Forcibly Displaced People Network (FDPN)

Panel Guests:

• Grace Dee Macauley (she/her) – Many Coloured Sky
• Deborah Leticia Akumu (they/them) – Many Coloured Sky
• Jade Barber (she/her) – Drummond Street Services
• Lauren Breen (She/Her/Hers) – The Iceberg Foundation
• Anirudh Chilukuri (they/them) – The Iceberg Foundation

Focus: Support for families, carers, and individuals navigating mental health challenges.

Presenters:

• Jennifer Bité – Tandem
• Shamus Goble – SE Metro
• Kate Fox – Gippsland Mental Health & Wellbeing Connect

Focus: This session facilitated networking and knowledge-sharing across metropolitan and regional areas, enhancing engagement and referral pathways. Guest speakers from regional Mental Health Locals shared insights in breakout rooms tailored to participants’ regions.

Presenters:

• Shilpa Ullagaddi – Neami
• Melissa Asta – Mind Australia
• Cat Hunt – Wellways Australia
• Nikki Wynne – Wellways Australia

Focus: Understanding service navigating for young people and what services are providing support for young people from Victoria’s refugee and asylum seeker communities.

Presenters: 

• Jessica Mitchell, Clinical Specialist – Orygen
• Ali Rahman, National Clinical Manager – Headspace

Panel Guests:  

• Laura Boscaglia – Headspace (Dandenong Hastings)
• Stefan Parsons – Foundation House (Northern Region)
• Katherine Hubbard – Foundation House
• Abuzar Mazoori – Foundation House (Southeastern Region)
• Maureen Mwandiambir – DPV Health
• Eugenia Castro – DPV Health
• Becky Halliday – JSS Connexions (North West Melbourne)

Focus: Presentation on current initiatives and future plans for the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing (VCCMHW).

Presenters: Malitha Perera, Rachael Unwin, Alicia Baker

Focus: Observations on mental health literacy among community participants, including barriers and facilitators to accessing services.

Presenter: Tracy Douglas, National Health Education Manager – Water Well Project

Focus: Insights into employing bicultural workers in refugee health, their roles, responsibilities, and professional standards.

Presenter: Jasmine Phillips, Bi-Cultural Program Lead – cohealth

Focus: Update on Mental Health and Wellbeing Reform, overview of Mental Health Locals services, referral pathways, and supporting frameworks.

Presenter: Alex Krummel, Director – Reform Implementation, Department of Health

Focus: Overview of funded projects and programs, and introduction to the Coordination Forum and its purpose.

Presenter: Adriana Ridzwan, Department of Health – Mental Health Branch