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A Qualitative Exploration of Sources of Help for Mental Illness in Arabic-, Mandarin-, and Swahili-Speaking Communities in Sydney, Australia

Author

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  • Klimentina Krstanoska-Blazeska

    (Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown 2571, Australia)

  • Andre Renzaho

    (Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown 2571, Australia)

  • Ilse Blignault

    (Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown 2571, Australia)

  • Bingqin Li

    (Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia)

  • Nicola Reavley

    (Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia)

  • Shameran Slewa-Younan

    (Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown 2571, Australia
    Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
    School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown 2571, Australia)

Abstract

Despite being disproportionately affected by poor mental health, culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) individuals seek help from mental health services at lower rates than others in the Australian population. The preferred sources of help for mental illness amongst CaLD individuals remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to explore sources of help in Arabic-, Mandarin-, and Swahili-speaking communities in Sydney, Australia. Eight focus-group discussions (n = 51) and twenty-six key informant interviews were undertaken online using Zoom. Two major themes were identified: informal sources of help and formal sources of help. Under the informal sources of help theme, three sub-themes were identified: social, religious, and self-help sources. All three communities strongly recognised the role of social sources of help, with more nuanced roles held by religion and self-help activities. Formal sources of help were described by all communities, although to a lesser extent than informal sources. Our findings suggest that interventions to support help-seeking for all three communities should involve building the capacity of informal sources of help, utilising culturally appropriate environments, and the collaboration between informal and formal sources of help. We also discuss differences between the three communities and offer service providers insights into unique issues that require attention when working with these groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Klimentina Krstanoska-Blazeska & Andre Renzaho & Ilse Blignault & Bingqin Li & Nicola Reavley & Shameran Slewa-Younan, 2023. "A Qualitative Exploration of Sources of Help for Mental Illness in Arabic-, Mandarin-, and Swahili-Speaking Communities in Sydney, Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:10:p:5862-:d:1150135
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Victoria A. Schlaudt & Rahel Bosson & Monnica T. Williams & Benjamin German & Lisa M. Hooper & Virginia Frazier & Ruth Carrico & Julio Ramirez, 2020. "Traumatic Experiences and Mental Health Risk for Refugees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-10, March.
    3. Nelsensius Klau Fauk & Anna Ziersch & Hailay Gesesew & Paul Ward & Erin Green & Enaam Oudih & Roheena Tahir & Lillian Mwanri, 2021. "Migrants and Service Providers’ Perspectives of Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services in South Australia: A Case of African Migrants with a Refugee Background in South Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-21, August.
    4. Ilse Blignault & Vince Ponzio & Ye Rong & Maurice Eisenbruch, 2008. "A Qualitative Study of Barriers to Mental Health Services Utilisation Among Migrants From Mainland China in South-East Sydney," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(2), pages 180-190, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Madsen, Julian & Jobson, Laura & Slewa-Younan, Shameran & Li, Haoxiang & King, Kylie, 2024. "Mental health literacy among Arab men living in high-income Western countries: A systematic review and narrative synthesis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 346(C).

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