Multilingual mental health service breaks taboos in Canterbury Bankstown

Canterbury Bankstown’s Muslim community is helping to break down barriers in accessing mental health services through its free multilingual psychological clinic.

Psychologist Carawan Ghanem: “It (mental health) is particularly taboo among some in culturally and linguistically diverse communities”.

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More women are taking up the offer of free multilingual mental health services at the Lebanese Muslim Association in Lakemba, helping to overcome social and cultural taboos about mental illness.

Canterbury Bankstown’s Muslim community is helping to break down barriers in accessing mental health services through its free multilingual psychological clinic.

Sydney Local Health District said 69 per cent of the more than 1000 clients seen so far at the clinic are female.

“Our partnership with the Lebanese Muslim Association is an innovative approach to the delivery of health care,” Sydney Local Health District chief executive Dr Teresa Anderson, AM, said.

Psychologists Carawan Ghanem and Khaled Kamalmaz at the clinic.

In the clinic’s first year of operation, 68.5 per cent of patients hadn’t sought mental health treatment in the past 12 months, despite experiencing psychological distress.

More than 1000 clients have used the service since it began more than 18 months ago with Sydney Local Health District founding and supporting it.

Therapy is offered in English, Arabic and Bengali and no GP referral or Medicare card is needed. The service is available for those over 16 years of age.

One of the psychologists at the clinic, Carawan Ghanem, said they were breaking down social taboos and barriers.

“There’s a lot of stigma surrounding mental health and accessing support services,” Ms Ghanem said.

“It’s particularly taboo among some in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

“We want to break down those barriers, raise awareness about the importance of mental health

and improve access to support services for people in our community.”

The psychologists, Ms Ghanem and Nafisa Choudhury, conduct up to 20 sessions a week.

Ms Ghanem said 82 per cent of their patients have a GP but less than 50 per cent discussed their mental health concerns with them.

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“So, for almost 70 per cent of our patients, when they make an appointment at the clinic, it’s the first time they have sought help in 12 months and we want to work towards closing that gap,” Ms Ghanem said.

Meanwhile, the district’s neighbouring Quit Smoking Clinic, which operates thrice a week, is helping many locals to kick the habit.

Tobacco treatment specialist Khaled Kamalmaz said since the clinic began in April he has conducted about 100 sessions.

“There’s been a positive response from client,” he said. “Many of them have reduced the number of cigarettes they smoke each day.”

The free service is available to people over 18.

Address: 71-75 Wangee Rd, Lakemba.

Details: 0416 937 425 or [e-mail]