Victorian Refugee Health Network E-bulletin April 2010
The Victorian Refugee Health Network brings together health, settlement and community services to be more accessible and responsive to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers.
The E-bulletin provides a regular forum to share news and information to support practitioners and services in providing health care to people of a refugee background.
News and Events
1. Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) tenders: The Department of Immigration And Citizenship (DIAC) are currently seeking tenders for Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS). The HSS will provide post-arrival support replacing the existing IHSS program which is due to expire on 30th September 2010. The HSS tender closes on Wednesday, 26th May 2010. For further information click here
2. Australian Cultural Orientation (AUSCO) Presentation: AMES and the Refugee Council of Australia invite you to a presentation on the AUSCO program which is provided to refugee and humanitarian visa holders who are preparing to settle in Australia. The presentation is an opportunity to learn more about the program and in Melbourne it will be held on Monday, 31st May 2010, 9:30—12:30. Places are limited. For further information click here
3. African Community Consultation on Mental Well-Being and Community Support: ADEC (Advocacy Disability Ethnicity Community) are inviting community leaders and workers to this forum to discuss how to get African families and individuals involved in mental well-being and support groups. The forum will be held on Saturday, 1st May, 12-3pm at ADEC, 175 Plenty Rd, Preston. RSVP required. For further information and a list of guest speakers click here
Resources
4. Multilingual information on vitamin D: SunSmart has a variety of resources available on vitamin D such as information sheets in eight community languages, key health messages for doctors, nurses and allied health which outlines at-risk population groups, safe sun exposure levels, testing and treatment recommendations. For more information about the program go to the SunSmart website click here or call 03 9635 5148.
5. Multilingual DVD on TB ‘Breathing Space’: The NSW Refugee Health Service in partnership with the Parramatta Chest Clinic (Sydney West Area Health Service) has produced this 20 minute DVD with funding by the NSW Department of Health. The DVD presents the experiences of three recently arrived refugees and their journey from diagnosis and through the range of treatments available from Chest Clinics and other public health systems. Key messages include the importance of seeking early medical diagnosis, confidentiality and the free cost of treatment. Available in Dinka, Karen, Burmese, Arabic, Juba Arabic and English. For further information click here. To order a free copy click here
6. The Multicultural Mental Health Australia E-Bulletin: The MMHA focuses on multicultural mental health and suicide prevention amongst culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Email contributions and enquiries to: Harinder.Singh@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) 9840 3333; Fax: (612) 9840 3388 Website: www.mmha.org.au
7. Multilingual CD about Alcohol and Drugs: developed by the Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC) and the African Companions Project in seven African languages: Amharic, Dinka, Krio, Liberian Pidgin English, Somali, Sudanese Arabic and Tigrinya. The CD includes three short plays of 3-4 minutes, covering the following topics: the effects of alcohol; how can I tell if my child is using drugs?; and getting help. To visit the DAMEC website for further information click here
8. Immunisation fact sheets in languages other than English are available from the Victorian Government's Department of Health website. Twenty languages are featured including Karen, Arabic, Somali and Dari. To visit the Department of Health website click here
Professional Development
9. Sexual and Reproductive Health for Young Immigrant and Refugee Women: a one day seminar facilitated by the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health. Issues explored will include maternity care and wellbeing; lack of choice in reproductive health decisions; early marriage; gestational diabetes and infertility and pregnancy complications (miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth). Participants will also learn where and how to access culturally and linguistically relevant resources. This seminar will be held on Thursday, 27th May 2010 at 134 Cambridge Street, Collingwood, 9am-2pm. For further information and registration click here
Research/Reports
10. Australian Family Physician (AFP) April, 2010. This free online journal features 'Culture and Diversity' in its April edition. This month's articles include Non-English Speaking Background (NESB) patients, Using Interpreters – A guide for GPs, Compassionate Listening – Managing Psychological Trauma in Refugees, Mental Health and Cultural Competence and End of Life Care -the Importance of Culture and Ethnicity. To visit the AFP website click here
Reminders:
• Diversity in Health 2010 Conference Melbourne 7-9 June. For further information click here
Subscriptions and contributions to the Victorian Refugee Health Network E-Bulletin are welcome.
If you would like to subscribe or send news or information relevant to refugee health please go to the Contact Us page on the Refugee Health Network website at www.refugeehealthnetwork.org.au or email: ebulletin@refugeehealthnetwork.org.au
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