1.  Aims

The aim of the project is to help build capable CALD communities by increasing community awareness of, and involvement in mental health development. Targeting 12 community groups: Vietnamese, Cantonese, Italian, Greek, Mandarin, Arabic, Korean, Spanish, Macedonian, Turkish, Serbian and Croatian, the project will provide up-to-date, practical information in English as well as several other languages. By making multilingual information available, creating more awareness of the nature of mental illness, the project will begin removing stigma and building greater capacity among CALD communities to help one another.   

2.  Products

Fact Sheets: Contain information on several mental illnesses, suicide prevention, mental health statement of rights and responsibilities for carers, consumers and their families.

Information Kits: These include print materials, video, audio tapes and CD ROM.  They aim to strengthen cultural competency, challenge stigma and use cultural and linguistic diversity to develop a healthier community.

Audio Recordings: Spoken word versions of the translated fact sheets will help listeners in all 12 language groups who may have limited literacy skills. 

CD ROM: This includes all the printed and audio versions in one easily accessed format, with all the 12 community languages.

Training Package: Designed for community group trainers, staff and members of the general public.  These packages will build awareness and skills.  All Training Packages include multilingual Information Kits, CD ROM, Fact Sheets and Audio versions. 
Train-the-Trainer Program: This will be held for 15 expert trainers, who will each then train 15 Community Trainers in their home region. 

3.  Changing awareness through local information

Self empowerment is a major aim of this project. More informed local media coverage of mental health issues, better understanding of what to do when someone is unwell and who to turn to for help will improve community capacity.  By combining these approaches with CALD community group involvement, the project will increase mental health literacy across our society, reduce stigma and reduce the risk of suicide and self harming behaviours.      

4.  How to join in and who to contact

If you involved with CALD communities and have an interest in receiving materials or joining in activities, please contact us.