Xin chào, Nǐ hǎo, مرحبًا and hello Multicultural Queensland Month! We spoke with Evelyn Magomo, a Mental Health Clinician and Multicultural Mental Health Coordinator with the Recovery, Resource, and Partnerships Team at Metro South Health (MSH), about the significance of this month and how you can celebrate our multicultural community.
Evelyn has been working as a Multicultural Mental Health Coordinator for the last 3 to 4 years, focusing on advocating for equitable access to culturally responsive mental health services.
“Metro South Health is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our diverse team reflects the varied population we serve, allowing us to deliver more effective and compassionate care.”
As a Multicultural Mental Health Coordinator, Evelyn’s role involves enhancing the cultural responsiveness of mental health services. This includes providing transcultural clinical consultations, participating in case discussions and care planning, offering workforce training, and contributing to service development initiatives. Evelyn also works on building partnerships with local providers and communities to support culturally and linguistically diverse consumers and represents MSH in local forums and networks.
MSH is Queensland’s most culturally diverse health region, with 31.1 per cent of its population born overseas and 28.1 per cent speaking a language other than English at home. With over 200 languages spoken across the catchment area, MSH efforts to cater to this diversity are evident in its workforce and services. As of June 2024, 14.75 per cent of MSH staff come from non-English speaking backgrounds, spanning various professional streams including medical, nursing, technical, managerial, and operational roles. This diversity is crucial in providing culturally responsive healthcare to the community.
“It’s crucial because it highlights the importance of cultural diversity within our organisation. It provides an opportunity for us to learn about, celebrate, and reflect on cultural inclusiveness and responsiveness. It reinforces our commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of our diverse community.”
Evelyn also outlined the activities planned for the month: “There’s a lot happening across Metro South Health. We have guest speakers delivering Lunchbox sessions—webinars designed to educate and engage our staff. Food trucks and table displays featuring information and resources will also be part of the celebrations. Additionally, we’re encouraging each team to host a multicultural morning tea, lunch, or afternoon tea throughout August. These gatherings are a great way for staff to share food, learn about each other’s cultures, and discuss our work with our culturally diverse population.”
For staff and the community interested in getting involved or learning more, Evelyn suggests participating in the planned activities and using this month as an opportunity to engage with colleagues’ cultures. For additional information, including resources and how to request interpreter services, individuals can visit MSH’s Multicultural Health page. Additionally, you can also contact The Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre which is a Statewide service.
“Multicultural Health Month is a wonderful occasion to celebrate the rich cultural diversity within our community. By participating in these activities, we not only honour this diversity but also strengthen our ability to provide inclusive and compassionate care. It’s a time to learn, reflect, and grow together.”