Note regarding eligibility: All allied health clinicians in the first two years of employment in a clinical mental health role (Area Mental Health Service or Mental Health & Wellbeing Local) – dietitians, social workers, speech pathologists, aboriginal mental health trainees, occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, exercise physiologists. Students are not eligible to attend. Manager approval must be obtained.

Topic:

An introduction to culturally responsive practice in mental health settings

Overview:

This introductory workshop explores core frameworks and practices for cultural responsiveness in specialist mental health services. It is designed to stimulate the interest of participants in the broad range of issues related to transcultural mental health. Grounded in a reflective practice approach, the workshop provides learners with the opportunity to consider core concepts and frameworks including human rights, culture, identity, intersectionality, and cultural safety.

The workshop also invites curiosity in, and promotes strategies for adapting practice, through engaging practices of cultural humility and reflexivity, anti-oppressive practice, social and cultural models of health, cultural assessment and recovery, engaging with communities and working with interpreters. The workshop also encourages future participation in cultural responsiveness education opportunities, as well as informs participants about Victorian Transcultural Mental Health and its services.

Learning Objectives:

o Understand the relevance of culturally responsive practice within the broader context of the Victorian mental health services reform

o Reflect on the role that cultural plays in shaping how we understand mental health, as well as how culture shapes mental health service delivery.

o Identify a range of concepts and frameworks that contribute to culturally responsive mental health care, including human rights, culture, identity, intersectionality, cultural safety.

o Identify a range of practices that support culturally responsive mental health care, including cultural humility and reflexivity, anti-oppressive practice, social and cultural models of health, cultural assessment and supporting personal recovery, working with interpreters, and partnering with communities.

o Understand the role of Victorian Transcultural Mental Health and resources available to support the sector.

Facilitators:
Stephanie Shavin, Olivia Fletcher & Nadya Kouzma – Victorian Transcultural Mental Health

Contact the host of 2026 Statewide Mental Health AH Entry Level Training Series - Day 5