New landmark report finds overseas-born Australians more likely to delay mental health support

Overseas-born Australians experiencing anxiety and mood disorders are more likely than those born in Australia to wait more than a decade before getting mental health support, a major new national report has found. 

The State of Multicultural Mental Health in Australia research report, released by Mental Health Australia’s Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Project in partnership with Western Sydney University is the first major study of its kind since 2013. 

Drawing on national data, community consultations and the latest Australian research, the report provides a snapshot of how well Australia’s mental health system is supporting multicultural communities – and where gaps remain.   

The research shows overseas-born Australians are more likely than those born in Australia to delay treatment for more than 10 years for both anxiety (57.6 per cent compared with 49.3 per cent) and mood disorders like depression (45.7 per cent compared with 37.3 per cent). 

Commonly reported barriers to help seeking include language barriers, low mental health literacy, negative stigma around mental health, difficulties navigating service systems and limited availability of culturally safe and responsive services. 

Mental Health Australia CEO Carolyn Nikoloski said the report highlights the need for a mental health system that better reflects Australia’s diversity.

“Australia’s cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths, but this research shows our mental health system is not yet working for everyone,” she said. 

“Too many people from multicultural backgrounds are carrying distress on their own for years before they get support. These delays are not about willingness to seek help or lack of need. They reflect systemic barriers that must be addressed.” 

The research also examines current and emerging good practices for supporting the mental health of multicultural communities and identifies six priority recommendations to strengthen culturally responsive care. These include:

• Investing in prevention programs, including culturally tailored mental health literacy and anti-stigma initiatives, as well as early support and care 
• Removing barriers through flexible, culturally safe service models 
• Strengthening partnerships and co-design with multicultural communities 
• Supporting genuine lived experience leadership in policy and governance 
• Building the bilingual and bicultural mental health workforce 
• Improving data quality so multicultural communities are more visible in national evidence. 

Report co-author Distinguished Professor of Humanitarian and Development Studies at Western Sydney University Andre Renzaho said the findings reinforce the importance of designing services around people’s lived experiences and multicultural community preferences. 

“When support is not accessible, culturally safe or easy to navigate, people are more likely to delay seeking help, even when distress is significant,” Professor Renzaho said. 

Commissioned by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and led by Associate Professor Shameran Slewa-Younan from Western Sydney University, the report is intended to guide governments, service providers and the mental health sector as Australia works to strengthen equity, access and outcomes for all communities.  

Ms Nikoloski said the report builds on existing work in multicultural mental health, including the Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Project, which supports Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention sector to better meet the needs of multicultural communities through culturally responsive services, information and stigma-reducing support. Its work is shaped by people with lived experience. 

“When services are designed with communities, not just for them, people seek help earlier, stay engaged and experience better wellbeing,” she said. 

“Mental health and wellbeing are understood and experienced differently across cultures. Our system must respond meaningfully to this diversity.” 

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Media contact:
Caroline Illingworth, Mental Health Australia Senior Communications Manager – caroline.illingworth@mentalhealthaustralia.org.au 0417037595.

mentalhealthaustralia.org.au