A Community Engagement Framework - Integrating Refugee Background Communities' Voices into the Mental Health System Reform

Overview

The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System called for a major overhaul to create a safer, more inclusive, and accessible system, especially for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. It recommended greater involvement of these communities in shaping mental health services. In response, the Department of Health launched the Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing (DCMHW) Grants Program. This supported Foundation House and the Victorian Refugee Health Network to help refugee and asylum seeker communities engage in mental health reforms and ensure services are culturally safe and trauma-informed.