Humanity in mental health
Alfred Health is strongly represented at this year’s Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) Forum.
The Forum will showcase presentations and panel discussions led by mental health practitioners, researchers, and community health workers, highlighting initiatives that advance a culturally responsive mental health system.
Clinical Psychologist Daniel Rylatt and Consumer Consultant Lauren Wraight, both from Alfred Mental & Addiction Health (AMAH), will co-present on their involvement with Left Write Hook, an 8-week trauma informed program designed by and for survivors of child sexual abuse and trauma to reclaim their bodies and rewrite their stories.
"When I first encountered Left Write Hook, I was struck by its unique creative and body-based approach involving boxing and writing," Daniel said.
"We've been fortunate to offer it to participants at The Alfred where it's had positive reception.
"It's an innovative program with an emerging evidence base that's now the subject of a randomised control trial.
"Lauren and I are very interested in how it might be integrated into different mental health contexts."
Also presenting are AMAH's Cultural Safety, Equity and Access Advisor Taff Ruvaro and Acting Service Planning Manager Erin Joyce, along with Bindu Joseph from Federation University, who will talk about their collaborative research project exploring the role of Bicultural Workers in mental health settings.
"Bicultural workers are invaluable in a mental healthcare setting," Erin said.
"They're able to navigate the cultural contexts of both the community they work with, and the health system, ensuring the two connect and communicate effectively.
"We're excited to present our findings, which show that the capacity for effective, impactful bicultural work need not be limited to people from specific community populations and groups; but anyone with the ability to be open to different perspectives and work within different cultural contexts."
Taff said the VTMH Forum presents an opportunity not just to share work, but to hear from others.
"I'm really looking forward to hearing from Kathomi Gatwiri, one of the Forum's keynote speakers," Taff said.
"Her work concerns Racial Dignity, which complements the work that Erin, Bindu and I have been doing."
Bringing it all together is AMAH's Lived Experience Participation Lead Tharindu Jayadeva, or TJ, who will emcee the day's events.
"The Forum is really about communities within the mental health system," TJ said.
"This work is about ensuring that our communities, which include our consumers, carers and each other, are seen with dignity within these systems, that their humanity is recognised, leading them to access the care they need."
