NSW Health has launched an Australia-first multicultural mental health phone line service to support people from diverse communities in need of mental health support.
Welcoming the Transcultural Mental Health line, the Minister for Mental Health, Bronnie Taylor said the service was staffed by registered bilingual mental health professionals covering 30 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Korean, Vietnamese and Ukrainian.
Mrs Taylor said the new phone line would support people from diverse communities who were struggling with their mental health to access appropriate services.
“While there is a wide range of mental health services available to all NSW residents, language and different cultural understandings of mental health can act as a barrier for people when accessing services,” Mrs Taylor said.
“This new phone line will support people to get the help they need, with a specialist team of health care professionals ready to provide care and connect people with the appropriate services,” she said.
“Available Monday to Friday between 9:00am to 4:30pm on 1800 648 911, the Transcultural Mental Health Line improves access to mental health care and support for diverse communities.”
Minister for Multiculturalism, Mark Coure said the new service made mental health support more accessible, and would give people the peace of mind to speak freely in a language they were comfortable with.
Further information on the Transcultural Mental Health line can be accessed at this PS News link.
Support for people impacted by the issues discussed in this article is available from the Transcultural Mental Health Line on 1800 648 911, Lifeline on 13 11 14 and the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
