Introduction
The cultural diversity in Australia continues to widen due to net overseas migration. It has been estimated that 24 percent of the Australian population was born overseas (Mortensen, 2010). The small proportion of these migrants are refugees and asylum seekers (Amnesty International Australia, 2014). Most of the refugees have deteriorating health by the time they reach the host country due to various traumatic events experienced by them or relating to poor access to health care in their own country (Russell, 2015 and Pottie et al., 2011). The Australian Psychological Society (2011) has also acknowledged the vulnerability amongst the refugees for mental health disorders (Murray, Davidson, & Schweitzer, 2008). Moreover, their access
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So in regard of this heightened physiological and psychological risk, Non-Government Organisations (NGO) and the state governments of Australia has put up various services for refugees in their respective state or territories. Access to health services is also one of the social determinants to health, which according to Helen are considered as the best predictors to one’s health (2012).
Victoria hosts the most number of refugees as compared to other states. The state delivers various services like refugee health nurse program, refugee health clinic, refugee health fellows program and many more. Similarly, the government of Western Australia (WA) has put up Humanitarian Entrant Health Services (HEHS). HEHS is entry point into healthcare system for newly arrived refugee and humanitarian entrants. After initial screening and follow up, clients are referred to local community health centre (Department of health,
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However, the refugee population is heterogeneous as they originate from different parts of the world, hence requiring individualised care. Considering the psychological aspect, it is very important to differentiate between client’s traditional beliefs about spirit possession or sorcery and actual psychiatric symptoms. Due to cultural beliefs, these can be misunderstood as psychiatric symptoms and wrongly diagnosed as one of mental health disorders (Nyagua & Harris 2008). Here the cultural safety model can be used to understand and identify the differences of African and Australian
In my readings, I have agreed with the term for culture in the book?? Cultural Diversity?? written by Jerry V. Filled. It states that "One 's culture becomes one?s paradigm, defining what is real and what is right.? in other words culture is taught to children by family it is a variety of learned behaviors, beliefs, values, traditions etc. All of which help shape a person and is a huge portion of who they are.
Uba, L. (1992). Cultural barriers to health care for southeast asian refugees. Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C.: 1974), 107(5), 544-548. Retrieved from http://proxy.samuelmerritt.edu:2106/pmc/articles/PMC1403696/
Phillips, J. (2011), ‘Asylum seekers and refugees: What are the facts?’, Background note, Parliamentry library, Canberra.
There are significant health disparities that exist between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians. Being an Indigenous Australian means the person is and identifies as an Indigenous Australian, acknowledges their Indigenous heritage and is accepted as such in the community they live in (Daly, Speedy, & Jackson, 2010). Compared with Non-Indigenous Australians, Aboriginal people die at much younger ages, have more disability and experience a reduced quality of life because of ill health. This difference in health status is why Indigenous Australians health is often described as “Third World health in a First World nation” (Carson, Dunbar, Chenhall, & Bailie, 2007, p.xxi). Aboriginal health care in the present and future should encompass a holistic approach which includes social, emotional, spiritual and cultural wellbeing in order to be culturally suitable to improve Indigenous Health. There are three dimensions of health- physical, social and mental- that all interrelate to determine an individual’s overall health. If one of these dimensions is compromised, it affects how the other two dimensions function, and overall affects an individual’s health status. The social determinants of health are conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age which includes education, economics, social gradient, stress, early life, social inclusion, employment, transport, food, and social supports (Gruis, 2014). The social determinants that are specifically negatively impacting on Indigenous Australians health include poverty, social class, racism, education, employment, country/land and housing (Isaacs, 2014). If these social determinants inequalities are remedied, Indigenous Australians will have the same opportunities as Non-Ind...
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have some of the worst health outcomes in comparison to any other indigenous community in the world (AIHW, 2011). According to United Nations official Anand Grover, Aboriginal health conditions are even worse than some Third World countries (Arup & Sharp, 2009), which is astonishing, considering Australia is one of the worlds wealthiest countries. Thoroughly identifying the causes and analysing every aspect behind poor health of indigenous Australians, and Australian health in general, is near impossible due to the complexity and abundant layers of this issue. Even within the category of social determinants, it is hard to distinguish just one factor, due to so many which interrelate and correspond with each other. The aim of this essay is to firstly identify and analyse components of the social determinants of health that impact the wellbeing of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, and demonstrate how they overlap with each other. By analysing the inequalities in health of Aboriginal and non-indigenous Australians, positive health interventions will then be addressed. Racism and the consequences it has on Indigenous health and wellbeing will be discussed, followed by an analysis of how and why social class and status is considered a determining factor when studying the health of the Aboriginal population. The issue relating ...
As a part of my English communications study I have chosen to explore the various social and political issues regarding asylum seekers in Australia. Firstly I would like to clarify the term asylum seekers, or as they are more commonly referred to: ‘boat people’.
They have been found to have detrimental psychological effects, as they leave refugees in a state of limbo, fearing their imminent forced return, where they are unable to integrate into society. This emotional distress is often compounded by the fact that refugees on TPVs in Australia are not able to apply for family reunification nor are they able to leave the country. Family reunification is a well-established right in Sweden, as well as most western countries. Moreover, it is a human right protected under the ICCPR whereby refugees have the right to family (Article 23) and the right to freedom from arbitrary interference with family life (Article 17). As a result of living in a state of uncertainty and heartache caused by family separation, refugees on TPVs face a “700 percent increased risk of developing depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in comparison with PPV (permanent protection visa) refugees (Mansouri et al. 2009, pp. 145). Denial of family reunification under TPVs is likely to cause more asylum seekers to engage in illegal means to arrive in
Since colonialism after the invasion, Australia indigenous peoples have experienced a great deal of loss of identity, loss, disempowerment, cultural alienation, grief. Many indigenous people's mental and physical health impaired. Suicide, family violence, drug abuse and unemployment rates is higher than the Australian average(Berry et al. 2012). That is complicated to contributing to develop and support sustainable mental health and social wellbeing for Australian aboriginals staying in rural areas ,related to much diversity involved in and between individuals and communities (Guerin & Guerin 2012).
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People have undergone much change since the colonisation. They have seen their lands dispossessed, been subjected to murder, rape, been denied of their language, cultures and spiritual beliefs as well as being denied of any individuality. It is because of problems such as these that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are experiencing rates of mental illness far above that of the national average. This essay aims to discuss some of the social, emotional and cultural aspects which are associated with the higher rates of mental illness and in particular suicide, as well as identifying evidence based strategies to address these higher rates.
There should therefore be emphasis placed on assessing the mental health of these kids because of the adverse experiences in their home countries and the distress experienced in an alien country or culture in which they find themselves. Weaver and Burns (2001) thus argue that social workers need a greater understanding of the impact of trauma to be effective with asylum seekers in general and UASC. However, many people who are exposed to traumatic experiences do not necessarily develop mental issues so social workers should be cautious about making assumptions as studies shows that most asylum seekers point to social and economic factors as important rather than psychological
Asylum seeker issue is a complex and continuing struggle between the heart and the head. It will continue to haunt us as long as Australia shines to be an oasis of space, peace and prosperity in a global sea of overcrowding and escalating suffering.
War is the main cause in the creation of child refugee. It is also known that war is the primary cause of child injuries, death and loss of family members. Being born abroad in unknown places, also play a role in depriving children of a legal home. The trauma of being a refugee child can cause detrimental changes in the mental health of a child and over all development. This article focuses on the impact of the Syrian armed conflict on the mental health and psychosocial condition of Syrian refugees’ children. Also, this article explores the struggles of several refugees’ families and their children. It was determined that mental health services can be key to restoring basic psychological functioning to support resilience and positive coping
Uba, L. (1992). Cultural barriers to health care for southeast asian refugees. Public health reports, 107, 544-548.
The social problem we have chosen to address is the mental health status of refugees. Refugees are exposed to a significant amount of trauma due to fear, war, persecution, torture, and relocating. The mental health illnesses that can affect refugees due to exposure to traumas include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Research indicated that refugees relocating from war-torn countries are particularly vulnerable to mental health concerns because many have experienced early traumas and face further post-traumas after relocation (Cummings, et al., 2011). However, despite the prevalence of mental health issues concerning refugees, mental health needs often go unrecognized and untreated.
Poor living conditions are a major health determinant throughout the indigenous population. Most Indigenous Australians are known to live in rural parts of Australia which are commonly not close to major cities and services. People living in these areas generally have poorer health than others living in the cities and other parts of Australia. These individuals do not have as much access to health services and good quality housing. In 2006 roughly 14% of indigenous households in Australia were overcrowded unlike 5% of other households (AIHW, 2009a). Overcrowded and poor quality houses are commonly associated with poor physical and mental health between the people living in them. The indigenous are n...