Mindfulness Interventions in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities: Research Translation

The Mindfulness Program, based on previous research conducted by South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) in partnership with Western Sydney University, provides an innovative, low intensity, in-language mental health intervention to hard-to-reach culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. There are high rates of untreated psychological distress in CALD communities and they experience multiple barriers to accessing mental health care. The design of this program systematically addresses these barriers and offers a clinically effective program that is culturally acceptable to these communities. It also provides early intervention and a soft entry point to mental health care. Research conducted during phases 1 and 2 of the Mindfulness program demonstrated the clinical efficacy and cultural acceptability of the intervention as a self-help program with Arabic speakers, and as a group program to newly-arrived migrant and refugee Arabic speaking women. Clinical outcomes were assessed pre-post intervention using standardised, translated and validated health screening instruments: Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10)