Find a Mental Health Professional for Cultural, Social & Community

About Cultural, Social & Community support

Mental health experiences are shaped by culture, community, migration history, faith, and social context. This category recognises that culturally responsive care is not optional; it is essential to effective support. Practitioners in this category have experience working with cultural adjustment, migration and refugee experiences, racism and racial trauma, faith and spirituality, and specific community groups including FIFO workers, veterans, and emergency first responders. People from diverse cultural backgrounds may face unique barriers to mental health support, including language, stigma, distrust of Western mental health systems, and a lack of culturally competent practitioners. Veterans and emergency workers face occupational trauma, moral injury, and a culture that often discourages help-seeking. FIFO workers contend with isolation, relationship strain, and the psychological effects of remote work cycles. In Australia, Open Arms provides free confidential counselling for veterans and their families (1800 011 046). Many community health centres offer interpreter services and culturally specific mental health programmes. Medicare rebates apply with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan. NDIS may also fund support for eligible participants. Telehealth significantly improves access for people in remote locations or those who prefer not to attend in person.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a culturally responsive therapist or psychologist in Australia?

Search this directory and look for practitioners who describe experience with your specific cultural background or community. Many practitioners note the languages they speak and any specific cultural competencies in their profiles. The NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre (1800 648 911) assists NSW callers with referrals to culturally appropriate services. In other states, contact your state's multicultural health unit or local community health centre for culturally informed referrals.

Is mental health support available for refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia?

Yes. The Foundation House (Victoria), STARTTS (NSW), and similar organisations in other states provide free, culturally informed mental health support for refugees and people from refugee-like backgrounds, regardless of visa status. Medicare access depends on visa type, but many funded services do not require Medicare eligibility. Speaking with a community health centre is a good starting point.

What support is available for veterans or first responders with PTSD or mental health concerns?

Veterans can access free counselling through Open Arms (1800 011 046), which provides multiple free sessions per year and can extend this where clinically needed. DVA (Department of Veterans' Affairs) also funds a range of mental health treatments for eligible veterans. Emergency services workers can access EAP through their employer as well as Medicare-subsidised psychology. Beyond Blue's Heads Up and First Responder programs are also targeted resources.