This policy report explores the mental health challenges faced by young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in Australia. It highlights how experiences such as forced migration, trauma, racism, cultural dislocation, and language barriers can significantly impact mental wellbeing. Despite their resilience, these young people are often underrepresented in mental health services and face systemic barriers to accessing appropriate care.
The report calls for culturally responsive mental health services that recognise diverse understandings of mental health shaped by cultural and religious beliefs. It advocates for trauma-informed care, improved mental health literacy, and inclusive service design that engages families and communities. Key policy recommendations include developing national benchmarks for cultural responsiveness, enhancing interpreter services, and implementing targeted suicide prevention strategies. The report also stresses the importance of data collection to inform service planning and the need for a national strategic agenda to address the unique needs of multicultural youth. Overall, it emphasises the importance of fostering belonging, inclusion, and culturally safe support systems to improve mental health outcomes for these young people.
