Miscellaneous
Speaking Out about the needs of Multicultural, Migrant and Refugee Communities. In the first week of Mental Health Month Áine chats with Vikas Sharma about Reducing Racism, Increasing Integration and Acceptance for the well-being of migrant Australians. Final report, August 2017 from the Select Committee on Strengthening Multiculturalism - Ways of protecting and strengthening Australia's multiculturalism and social inclusion “According to the Scanlon Foundation, experiences of discrimination based on skin colour, ethnicity or religion has increased by five per cent since 2015. This is the highest level recorded in the Scanlon Foundation's surveys to date. Further research shows that discrimination is most prevalent against those overseas-born of non-English speaking background, with the highest level of discrimination reported by South Sudanese”. Racial discrimination and vilification have extremely harmful effects on the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Racial discrimination has the potential to erode social cohesion, and cause individuals to feel socially isolated and disempowered.6 It can also lead to poor physical and mental health outcomes. Vikas is a skilled migrant who migrated to Australia with his family in 2019. He is a volunteer presenter with 2xx Community Radio putting to air the weekly show ACT Desi. Vikas speaks out about his experiences of integration and concerns for the well-being of migrant communities here in the ACT. Join us live, livestream or listen back On Demand off our 2xx Transforming Perceptions program page or listen to our podcasts available through AnchorFM, Spotify, BreakerFM, Pocket Casts, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Overcast and Radio Public. Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.