| Victorian Refugee Health Network E-bulletin December 2008 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. The new Refugee health and wellbeing action plan 2008-10 and the Victorian Refugee Health Network were launched on December 16th by the Hon Daniel Andrews, Minister for Health and eminent Australian, Sir Gus Nossal AC CBE. Click here for more information and links to the resources and photos of the event. 2. 'Access to Mental Health Services in Victoria: A focus on Ethnic Communities' is the title of a recent report launched by the Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit (VTPU) at St Vincent's hospital in December. To access the report or to order copies go to the VTPU website at http://www.vtpu.org.au/ Resources 3. 'Engaging refugee and migrant young people around mental health: Exploring strategies that work' is a new report produced by the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY). It includes discussion of strategies to assist service providers work more effectively, actions to be explored in 2009, and a list of useful resources. The report can be accessed via the CMY homepage at: http://www.cmy.net.au/ 4. ‘Bridging Differences, Enhancing Understanding’ is a DVD resource kit on raising awareness of hepatitis C and sexually-transmissible infections in a culturally appropriate manner produced by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (CEH) through its Multicultural Health and Support Service (MHSS). Click here for further information or contact: Thea Saliba on 03 9342 9714 or theas@ceh.org.au 5. Issues in Cross-cultural Psychological Assessment Conference 2008: a new report on the proceedings of this conference convened by the Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit (VTPU) provides presentation and plenary summaries. An enthusiastic audience of 150 psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, school counsellors, teachers, academics and other professionals from around Australia attended the conference. Click here for report. 6. The 'Settlement Planning Update' from the Settlement Grants and Planning Section of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship is a monthly newsletter for local settlement planning committees and settlement service stake-holders, to share information about initiatives, events, launches , opportunities, important dates and to clarify facts. It also includes recent settleemtn data. To subscribe contact John Muller at: john.muller@immi.gov.au Professional Development 7. English for Bilingual Health Workers is an accredited intermediate English language course to develop language skills whilst gaining skills and knowledge relevant to working in the health sector. In 2009 this course will be offered as a 12 month program at the Collingwood NMIT targetting Certificate 3 level students. For further information click here. Thank you to all who have contributed to the Victorian Refugee Health Network in 2008 and we wish you a happy and restful festive season. 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: refugeehealth@foundationhouse.org.au |
