Mental well-being and intercultural understanding with culturally diverse young people : becoming equal partners

Fran Gale, Michel Edenborough, Michael Dudley

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paper

Abstract

![CDATA[Globalization has increased Australian multiculturalism. Australia is now one of the most diverse countries in the world. Yet almost fifty per cent of 18-24 year-old and thirty-one per cent of 12-17 year-old Australian young people who speak a language other than English have experienced discrimination based on skin colour, ethnic origin, or religion. School is a key setting in which young people experience racial discrimination, which increases risk to mental well-being. While a range of mental health programs operating in schools often acknowledge racism’s impact, their focus tends to be on the individual young person to understand and manage their emotions and, if newly arrived, ‘adapting’ to the new culture. This individual focus can neglect broader socio-cultural, structural and power-related social determinants of mental wellbeing: research finds that environments which support intercultural connectedness as well as ethno-cultural community links promote resilience and mental wellbeing for young people. Nonetheless much research and practice remain focused on the young person from racialized minorities developing intercultural connections, rather than a twoway exchange between all young people seen as equal partners in promoting these connections. Informed by the ‘frame of reference’ and narratives of the culturally diverse young people, this paper reports their perspectives on their mental well-being, after they participated in a schools-based program which aimed to foster intercultural understanding and diminish racism. Findings indicate that intercultural understanding programs may offer a valuable pathway for mental wellbeing among young people.]]
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationANZSWWER 2023 Symposium: Book of Abstracts: Being Global, Regional and Local in Social Work and Human Services: Opportunities and Challenges for Innovation, 2-3 November 2023, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
PublisherAustralian and New Zealand Social Work and Welfare Education and Research
Pages59-59
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 2023
EventAustralian and New Zealand Social Work and Welfare Education and Research. Symposium -
Duration: 1 Jan 2023 → …

Conference

ConferenceAustralian and New Zealand Social Work and Welfare Education and Research. Symposium
Period1/01/23 → …

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