Effectively supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) young people with their mental health and wellbeing – does this matter or exist in Australia?

PSYCHIATRIC diagnosis; WELL-being; CINAHL database; PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems; MEDICAL databases; HEALTH education; PRIVACY; MINORITIES; HEALTH services accessibility; SYSTEMATIC reviews; COMMUNICATION barriers; MENTAL health; INDIVIDUALIZED medicine; EMOTIONAL trauma; CREATIVE ability; SOCIAL stigma; SELF-efficacy; HEALTH literacy; MEDICAL care use; CULTURAL competence; INTERPERSONAL relations; HEALTH; INFORMATION resources; MEDICAL ethics; PHYSICIAN practice patterns; MEDLINE; MENTAL health services; ERIC (Information retrieval system); SOCIAL integration

This paper presents a systematic review that assessed the different types of mental health programs and interventions available for young people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Australia, and identified core elements of practice for supporting the mental health of CALD youth, and key barriers that preclude CALD youth from engaging with mental health services. A total of 19 articles met inclusion criteria and a total of six distinct practices were identified: (1) personalization, identity and recognition of trauma; (2) creative expression; (3) cultural competence; (4) self-efficacy and empowerment; (5) social connections and relationships; and (6) information and content delivery. Key barriers related to engagement with CALD youth mental health programs included language and literacy barriers, stigma and shame, and service providers' limited cultural competency, and lack of diverse understandings of wellbeing. The findings from this review suggest several avenues for ensuring practice that effectively meets the unique mental health needs of CALD young people and reduces barriers to their access and engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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