title: Barriers Accessing Mental Health Services Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Immigrant Women in Australia: Policy Implications.
abstract: Immigrant and refugee women from diverse ethnic backgrounds encounter multiple barriers in accessing mental healthcare in various settings. A systematic review on the prevalence of mental health disorders among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women in Australia documented the following barriers: logistical, language and communication, dissonance between participants and care providers and preference for alternative interventions. This article proposes recommendations for policies to better address the mental health needs of immigrant and refugee women. Key policy recommendations include: support for gender specific research, implementation and evaluation of transcultural policies, cultural responsiveness in service delivery, review of immigration and refugee claims policies and social integration of immigrants.
authors.affiliation: International Health Programme, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia. marieyvonne@westnet.com.au.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wohler
authors.affiliation: International Health Programme, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia.
authors.forename: Jaya Ar
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dantas
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D003144:Communication Barriers; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Access; Australia; Barriers; Immigrant women; Mental health services