This year we have supported and celebrated with the hundreds of women who regularly access our mental health, family support groups and women’s health services along with our dedicated staff, support workers, volunteers and students, who have shown passion and commitment to take Ishar to new heights.

The second seminar of the series, "Cross-Culture Parenting and Mental Health in CaLD Communities,” aims to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities in raising children within a cross-cultural context, while also addressing the crucial aspect of mental health. The seminar will delve into the intersection of cultural identity, parenting styles, and mental well-being, focusing on communities where diverse cultural backgrounds may influence parenting norms and practices.

The second seminar of the series, "Cross-Culture Parenting and Mental Health in CaLD Communities,” aims to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities in raising children within a cross-cultural context, while also addressing the crucial aspect of mental health. The seminar will delve into the intersection of cultural identity, parenting styles, and mental well-being, focusing on communities where diverse cultural backgrounds may influence parenting norms and practices.

The first seminar of the series, "Single Mothers and Mental Health in CaLD Communities," will explore the intersectionality of cultural, social, and economic factors affecting single mothers' mental health within culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities.

Fam's journey from Chin State, Burma, to Australia is an inspiring tale of resilience and hope. She faced persecution and uncertainty as a refugee, but she and her family found solace in Australia. From adapting to a new culture to overcoming language barriers, Fam's determination propelled her forward. Today, she's a vital part of Ishar, supporting migrants and refugees.

Ishar's multilingual resources, including the information booklet and safety plan available in Hindi, Arabic, Chinese, and English, represent a groundbreaking milestone in preventing and addressing family and domestic violence. By articulating the various manifestations of violence in language, Ishar works with survivors to recognise violence and empowers them by utilising the survivors' strengths and providing them with the skills, knowledge and resources to rebuild their lives.

Ishar, in partnership with Sexual Health Quarters, is proud to launch culturally and linguistically diverse multilingual video resources as part of the “Safe To Tell” project. These videos, produced in English, Arabic, Farsi and Mandarin, will help to improve a woman’s awareness of, and confidence in, identifying and responding to experiences of intimate partner violence, reproductive coercion and domestic violence.

What is considered ‘women’s cancers?’ Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer that women are diagnosed with, with 1 in 8 women being diagnosed with breast cancer by age 85. Women are also affected by gynaecological cancers which include but are not limited to ovarian, cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and uterine cancer.

This article explores breast and cervical cancer and how Ishar’s health promotion team supports CaLD women understand the screening processes.

Every year on the second Thursday of September, we are reminded to check in on our friends and family. This reminder is known as ‘R U OK?’ day. On R U OK day, we are encouraged to focus on learning to have meaningful conversations that allow people to open up about their feelings. This article explores the importance of asking tough questions, how to create a safe space and the importance of listening.

Period poverty affects individuals in a variety of ways. Whilst we in Australia would like to think we are ‘above’ Period Poverty, we simply are not. The inability to menstruate hygienically can promote a wide range of negative emotions for women including shame, guilt and even hopelessness. This article explores how period poverty affects Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) women living in Australia.

Ishar has partnered with the National Allergies Strategy Nip Allergies in the Bub project to reproduce their resources in language for Ishar’s clients and community women. This video is in Burmese, Karen, Hazaragi and Hakha Chin.

Should I give my breastfed baby formula is a question we get asked very often from women who are successfully breastfeeding. When the mother is able, breast milk is the preferred option when feeding a baby as it has the right balance of nutrients for babies, helps them grow strong and to have better brain growth and development. This video is in Burmese, Karen, Hazaragi, Hakha Chin and English.

Sex means something different for everyone, due to who you are as a person, your culture, and your religion. This video by Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services looks at what safe sex is, how to prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections, and the importance of getting regular sexual health checks.

Eating healthy and doing regular exercise is important for your body. This video by Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services provides tips on making better food choices, improving nutrient intake, and increasing regular exercise.

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, Happy Hearts project, providing health education to young refugee and migrant women.

Empowering Young Refugee and Migrant Women to Have Safe and Respectful Relationships

The “Your Money & Financial Wellbeing” booklet is a part of the ongoing “Financial Literacy and Its Relationship to Health and Wellbeing Project”, funded by the Office of Multicultural Interests. The booklet is available in print and electronic form in English, Arabic, Farsi, and Vietnamese to facilitate wider access to this important information.

Let’s Talk Culture seminar series aim to assist professionals to work in a culturally responsive way with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds, especially in mental health. This is a recording of a live webinar recorded on 22 July 2020.

Women by nature are altruistic creatures, we put everyone and everything above ourselves even if it jeopardises our own health. More than 20 women die of heart disease every day.

Migrant and CaLD women are stigmatised and sometimes ostracised for leaving violent relationships. They are accused of breaking up families and bringing “shame” to their families back home and hence they are more reluctant to seek help. These women also rely solely on their partners for their financial and everyday needs which further deters them from reaching out. Additionally, CaLD women usually lack the language skills and knowledge to navigate through the often complex and bureaucratic housing and legal systems.