They say that to truly understand a person you need to walk a
mile in their shoes. For the thousands of Australians who have come from other countries
and often from very different experiences it is vital that when they seek support they
find an understanding ear.
Work into the impact of different cultural experience on mental health and in
particular depression and sadness, is a key research focus for UniSA’s Dr
Nicholas Procter.
This week Dr Procter will join with the SA Transcultural Mental Health Network to
launch The Heart of Acceptance – Cultural Healing Uncovered at the Migration
Museum on Friday June 15 at 10 am.
The exhibition highlights the experience of four non-English speaking groups -
Adelaide’s Cambodian, Persian, Afghan and Italian communities – opening up
issues of loneliness, trauma, loss, separation, alienation, and depression as they have
been experienced by people in these communities.
The exhibition will be opened by Dr Margaret Tobin, Director of Mental Health, from the
SA Department of Human Services.
Dr Procter says the exhibition is part of a major project, Reciprocity in Education, in
which participants from mainstream mental health services and each of the communities
worked together to learn more about mental health issues.
"The exhibition is a true reflection of the experiences of people who have come to
live in Australia and much of the material on display is autobiographical," he said.
"What we have tried to do is to shed light on some of the issues that face migrant
communities and impact on their mental health and well being.
"The whole project aims to enhance understanding particularly for health care
workers so that more empathetic policies and practices can be developed and adopted."
Dr Procter said the program had already had some important spin-offs.
"Already we have more bilingual people trained as community educators, we have
also established important local networks through a collaboration between government and
non-government organisations that will ensure the experience gained through the project is
disseminated," he said.
"From a university and educational perspective we are examining how we teach
tomorrow’s key health care professionals about diversity and the significance of
cultural background on mental health care and interventions.
"This has been a powerful learning experience for the health and educators
involved in the project which will continue to influence care delivery, training, and
management for years to come."
The National
Mental Health Strategy, NESBWEB, Australian
Transcultural Mental Health Network, and the Government of South Australia are
sponsoring the exhibition.
Media contact: Nicholas Procter (08) 8302 2148 or 0417 080 630
Michèle Nardelli (08) 8302 0966, 041 8823673
