Unity in diversity: PHN attends Toowoomba Community and Faith Leaders Forum

In October, the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN was invited to present at the Toowoomba Community and Faith Leaders Forum.

The forum hosted by Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT) and Multicultural Australia discussed the topics of health, mental health, and community wellbeing for members of the multicultural community. It was an opportunity for community members to hear from and engage with services influencing the direction of health, with a focus on mental health care.

Amy Wilson, Acting Executive Director of Strategic Commissioning, presented the work the PHN is currently doing in supporting people from multicultural backgrounds, and particularly those from a refugee background.

This included the PHN-funded Multicultural Access Program which includes the Refugee Health Outreach Program, and the Toowoomba Mental Health Hub co-design.

Julie Cave, Multicultural Coordinator at the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN, joined other panelists in answering questions from community members on several topics relating to their community.

“It was a great night and an opportunity to listen to members of our communities who have lived experience. Connecting with and learning from our multicultural communities is important for us to ensure that primary care is accessible for individuals from diverse backgrounds,” said Ms Cave.

Research indicates that multicultural communities, particularly those from non-English speaking backgrounds, face health disparities, distinct health conditions, language barriers, and discrimination in health care.

With over 56,000 people in the Darling Downs and West Moreton region born in predominately non-English speaking countries, the PHN is committed to enhancing health care access and outcomes for multicultural communities. We recognise the significance of understanding the unique health needs and challenges encountered by individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.