In October 2023, Population Health joined hands with the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in New South Wales to support Mental Health Month. The "We all have a role to play" campaign aimed to raise awareness about mental health and services, aligning with the theme of World Mental Health Day, "Our minds, our rights."

From October 9-15, the campaign targeted ten priority communities in NSW: Arabic-speaking, Bangla, Chinese-speaking, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Nepalese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese communities.

It was amplified through a Mental Health Month Electronic Direct Mail (EDM) and Social Media messages, showcasing an array of valuable resources.

Campaign participants had the opportunity to:

• Gain Essential Skills: By enrolling in the Mental Health First Aid course, individuals learned how to identify, assist, and support those in need, becoming a lifeline rather than a bystander.
• Explore Nutrition and Healthy Eating: Discovering the connection between nutrition and mental health became possible through tailored education sessions for adults 60+, available in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and Vietnamese.
• Experience Mindfulness Wellbeing: Multicultural Mindfulness audio tracks, available in various languages, helped enhance mental wellbeing. An interview with relaxation facilitator Sue Bryne provided deeper insights.
• Access multilingual mental health resources.

The HIV Roundtable event was held on 10 August 2023, at Canterbury Hurlstone-Park RSL. The event brought together health professionals, multicultural community leaders and Ministry of Health staff to create a platform for share knowledge and community perspectives, with the goal of improving access to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment for CALD communities. 

The discussions were lively and informative, and emphasised the need to bundle HIV information with broader health information; optimise on partnerships with faith leaders and CALD community leaders; unite health services; address accessibility, confidentiality, and discretion concerns around HIV.

 Watch the NSW HIV Roundtable highlights.

Population Health is thrilled to announce its participation in the upcoming 2023 Multicultural Health Week, taking place from September 4 to 10. This year, the focus is on embracing cultural diversity through the joy of physical movement under the theme "Every Move Counts."

The campaign aims to highlight key health programs that promote physical activity and well-being within the African, Arabic-speaking, Bangla, Chinese-speaking, Indonesian, Italian, Mongolian, Nepali, and Vietnamese communities residing in the Sydney Local Health District.

Highlighted Services:

•    Stepping On Program: This evidence-based, seven-week program is tailored for individuals at risk of falls or those who have experienced falls in the past year. Available in multiple languages, it aims to prevent falls in older community members. Click here

•    Chronic Pain Management Program: Designed to empower participants in understanding and managing chronic pain, this program enhances life quality and emotional well-being through self-management skills. Sessions are available in Arabic, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Click here

•    Nutrition and Healthy Eating Education: Culturally tailored nutrition sessions are provided by Diversity Programs and Strategy Hub to improve the nutrition knowledge of adults aged 60 and above. Available in multiple languages, these sessions aim to prevent chronic diseases and support healthy aging. Click here

•    Healthy and Active for Life Program Delivery Training: Physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, and fitness professionals can partake in training to facilitate the Healthy and Active for Life program. The program explores the connection between healthy aging, culture, and movement. Click here

Join us during the 2023 Multicultural Health Week as we celebrate the vibrant cultural diversity within our communities, embracing the power of movement for a healthier, more connected future.

This year's World Hepatitis Day on July 28 is dedicated to the theme "We're Not Waiting," urging immediate action to combat hepatitis globally. The Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS) is supporting the cause by promoting the booklet "Hepatitis B. It's Family Business," available in multiple languages for diverse communities.

Professor Benjamin Cowie from the Australian WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis emphasizes the urgency of hepatitis B testing, as many people may be unaware they have the condition. Without proper care, hepatitis B can lead to liver cancer, causing a death every 30 seconds worldwide.

Australia faces a significant hepatitis B challenge, with around 200,385 people living with chronic hepatitis B, predominantly among those born overseas. The "Are you living with hepatitis B? Find Out. Get Tested" campaign encourages diverse communities to prioritize liver health and get tested, offering information in various languages.

The campaign aims to empower individuals with culturally relevant knowledge to make informed choices and take action. Community members are urged to consult doctors for hepatitis B testing, and those with a Medicare card can access free testing. Individuals without a Medicare Card can contact NSW Health Sexual Health Clinics for free testing. All conversations with doctors remain confidential.

For more information on the campaign, contact Sonam Paljor on 0436 649 000 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..