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Mental health workers will improve their understanding of cultural and linguistic diversity through a new resource to be funded by the State Government and delivered by The University of Western Australia.

Developed by the WA Mental Health Commission and Multicultural Mental Health Australia, the National Cultural Competency Tool (NCCT) contains a set of best-practice principles and practical aids designed for those working in mental health services with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

UWA's Community, Culture and Mental Health Unit within the School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences has been awarded State Government funding to train mental health workers.

The unit will provide training and ongoing support in the use of the NCCT to all mental health services that are funded by the WA Mental Health Commission.

WA Minister for Mental Health Helen Morton said the tool would improve access and service delivery to CALD communities, aiming to foster a more flexible, non-judgemental approach.

"WA is the most culturally diverse State in Australia and this diversity is increasing.  We want to make sure agencies are able to effectively work to better meet the needs of ethnically diverse groups, as well as the wider community," she said.

Media references

Nikola Horley (UWA's Community, Culture and Mental Health Unit)  (+61 8)  9224 0346
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783