Free, culturally appropriate counselling and wellbeing support.

SWDA Social Work Unit

Mental Health Education and Awareness within African Refugee Communities

Building Understanding, Reducing Stigma and Promoting Wellbeing

The SWDA Social Work Unit provides culturally responsive mental health education and awareness to African refugee communities, including young people, adults, parents and families.

For many people from refugee backgrounds, adjusting to a new country can bring significant changes and challenges. Experiences of displacement, settlement, separation from family, language barriers, social isolation, financial pressures, discrimination and adapting to a new culture can affect emotional wellbeing and mental health.

At the same time, mental health can sometimes be difficult to talk about within communities where stigma, cultural beliefs, misconceptions or fear of judgement may prevent people from seeking support.

SWDA works directly with African refugee communities to create safe, respectful and culturally appropriate conversations about mental health. Our Social Work Unit Team provides education that helps community members better understand mental health, recognise early signs of concern and feel more confident seeking appropriate support.

What We Provide

• Community mental health education sessions
• Youth mental health and wellbeing workshops
• Parent and family education sessions
• School-based mental health awareness programs
• Community discussions and information sessions
• Culturally appropriate social work support
• Information, advocacy and referrals to appropriate services
• Support to strengthen family and community connections

Respectful, Safe and Inclusive

Our Culturally Responsive Approach

SWDA understands that effective mental health education must recognise culture, language, family relationships, community values and lived experiences.

Our Social Work Unit Team creates a welcoming and non-judgemental environment where people can ask questions, share concerns and learn about mental health without shame or fear of being judged.

We focus on education, prevention, early support, empowerment and connection to appropriate services, while recognising the strengths and resilience that exist within African refugee families and communities.

Our goal is to help build communities where talking about mental health is normal, seeking support is encouraged, and individuals and families know that they do not have to face challenges alone.

Who Can Book a Workshop?

• African refugee community groups
• Young people and youth groups
• Schools and education providers
• Parents and families
• Community organisations
• Women’s and men’s groups
• Settlement programs
• Community leaders and volunteers
• Other organisations supporting African refugee communities