Health and wellbeing
We recognise refugee, humanitarian and other vulnerable entrants often present with health needs that differ from the mainstream Australian population.
Service providers can encourage health and wellbeing by sharing information about:
- the Australian health system
- Medicare
- the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
- emergency and ambulance services
- the difference between general practitioners and specialists
- medical documents
- immunisation history
- disability support services and pensions
- mental health issues
- health issues for specific groups, particularly women and young people.
- parenting
- family or gender roles
- family relationships
- intergenerational conflict
- rights and obligations under Australian law
- cultural orientation in Australia
- family conflict
- legal issues
- the roles of police, courts and child protection agencies
- Australia’s family law provisions
- reduction/prevention of domestic and family violence (DFV) among newly arrived communities.
Service providers can also help increase client’s health and wellbeing using services including:
- tailored and resourced support
- referral and information around trauma recovery and mental health
- referral to counselling and psychological services
- inviting guest speakers from mainstream services that hold early intervention workshops
- referral to culturally-appropriate and specific family mediation, information and support
- referral to groups that give social support, such as men’s, women’s or parenting groups
- referral to programs for newly arrived youth that give opportunities for young people to express themselves and build peer support networks
- group information sessions and/or other educational initiatives or programs
- warm referral pathways for those who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing DFV including:
- specialist DFV support
- family relationship services
- counselling
- mental health support
- emergency housing
- legal services and
- other mainstream services.
