Meet Us Where We’re At

This policy brief addresses the mental health challenges faced by young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. The brief highlights the inadequacies of the current Australian mental health system in meeting the needs of this cohort, citing issues such as a lack of culturally competent services, mental health literacy, and barriers for those on temporary visas. It calls for investment in culturally responsive mental health initiatives, workforce development, and addressing social determinants like racism that contribute to mental ill-health. The brief also emphasises the importance of early, targeted, and accessible mental health services to improve outcomes for these young people.