Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where can I find translated mental health information?

    It is important that mental health information provided to consumers and carers in their first language has been prepared by professional translators to ensure that meaning and context are considered, and translations are accurate. Many terms, acronyms and words cannot simply be translated from English to another language, so only professionally translated materials should be used. 

    SOME USEFUL SOURCES OF TRANSLATED MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION

    • The Health Translations Directory — healthtranslations.vic.gov.au 
      An extensive range of translated health information is available on this easy-to-access directory. The Directory is funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and managed and updated by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health.
    • Embrace — embracementalhealth.org.au/translated-content
      This site allows a search by language for mental health related material.
    • Beyond Blue — beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/multicultural-people/translated-mental-health-resources
      Beyond Blue offers a range of translated materials for consumers and health professionals, including information for new parents, information on mental health conditions, and translations of the Kessler (K10) assessment form and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

    To translate some of your agency’s materials, the following may assist:

    • Mental Health Community Support Services
      ONCALL provides interpreter and translation services to the community mental health sector. At the time of writing, this service has a monthly spending cap and is accessed on a ‘first come, first served basis’. Authorised agencies have a PIN which is quoted when requesting translating or interpreting services through ONCALL. Agencies can find their PIN by telephoning ONCALL on 03 9867 3788.
    • Clinical Services
      Clinical mental health services can access interpreters and translators as required through their internal mechanisms. Ask your manager about the process in your workplace.

  • What interpreter services are available?

    MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES

    ONCALL provides interpreter and translation services to the community mental health sector. At the time of writing, this service has a monthly spending cap and is accessed on a ‘first come, first served basis’. Authorised agencies have a PIN  which is quoted when requesting translating or interpreting services through ONCALL. Agencies can find their PIN by telephoning ONCALL on 03 9867 3788.

    CLINICAL SERVICES

    Clinical mental health services can access interpreters and translators as required through their internal mechanisms. Ask your manager about the process in your workplace.

    PRACTITIONERS WORKING IN OTHER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT ROLES

    Practitioners in various Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) funded services can utilise the DHHS language services credit line. These include practitioners working in community health settings, Alcohol and Other Drugs services and homelessness services. The Victorian Interpreting & Translating Service (VITS) – or LanguageLoop – is the current provider of the credit line.

    ACCESSING INTERPRETERS FOR THE NDIS

    VTMH OFFERS RESOURCES WHICH BUILD THE CAPACITY OF MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS TO WORK WITH INTERPRETERS

  • How do I find a bilingual mental health professional?

    Some people would prefer to be supported by a mental health professional who speaks a language other than English.

    Use the options below to find a bilingual professional.

    If you are a professional searching for a bilingual professional on behalf of a consumer or family, make sure you take the time to explore their preferences. Learn about their migration story, cultural heritage and about the particular language or languages that they speak.

    Also consider: Could a community advisor help? Is a professional interpreter required? Read more about our workshops on these and other topics here.

    TO FIND A BILINGUAL PRIVATE PRACTITIONER, YOU CAN SEARCH HERE:

    FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER BILINGUAL PROFESSIONALS, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND SERVICES

    • Pharmacists — findapharmacy.com.au
      (see ‘language spoken’ option).
    • Infoxchange Service Seeker — serviceseeker.com.au
      A variety of health and community service practitioners and agencies can be found on Infoxchange Service Seeker (see advanced search for spoken language or other key words such as “multicultural”). You can search here for specific supports, for example, family violence, housing and so on.

  • What mental health services are available in Victoria?

    The mental health system has many parts. For up-to-date information see this page on the Victorian Government Website.

    To find other providers of medical, psychologial and social support, search: Infoxchange or AskIzzy.

  • Which policy documents discuss mental health and cultural responsiveness?

    There are a variety of policy frameworks that relate to culturally responsive practice in mental health and across health and community services. Here are some key Victorian and national frameworks.

    VICTORIA

    OTHER VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

    OTHER VICTORIAN FRAMEWORKS

    NATIONAL