We’re proud of the diverse population in our region and are involved in a variety of services and programs that help meet the specific health needs of some of our local community groups.
Refugee Health
We see the health of the refugee community as a priority and are building strong relationships with the community and local service providers to assist in improving equity and access to health care.
We’ve developed the Refugee Health Program Resources sheet for health professionals to quickly access details and referral information on the below services:
- Mental health and counselling
- Disability support
- Refugee health
- Sexual health
- Settlement support
Health professionals can access local, clinical pathways for refugee health at Western Sydney HealthPathways.
NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors
The NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) is a non-profit organisation supporting refugees, migrants and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. We have commissioned STARTTS since 2015 to provide culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) mental health literacy and suicide prevention programs for refugees, asylum seekers and other diverse communities in Western Sydney.
Through group sessions, counselling, mental health events, training and awareness days, STARTTS empowers community members to recognise signs of distress, employ coping mechanisms, build supportive community networks, and reduce the stigma around mental health.
- Read Aidah’s story
- Read Atur’s story
Mental Health Support: Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The Australian Government has introduced targeted mental health and community wellbeing support services to mitigate the psychological harm and distress stemming from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Western Sydney, Central and Eastern Sydney, Northern Sydney and South Western Sydney Primary Health Networks are collaborating with local communities and organisations through a 12-month small grants program. This initiative provides funding to local stakeholders aimed at fostering resilience, social connectedness and support for those experiencing loss, anxiety and heightened distress due to the international affairs.
Details about the successful grant recipients and their initiatives can be found below.
Australian National Imams Council aims to enhance the mental health knowledge, literacy and understanding of Imams, equipping them with skills to offer culturally appropriate support, locate and navigate mental health services for their congregations and advocate for mental health resources within their communities.
The initiative will include a series of workshops focused on developing essential mental health skills, exploring new referral pathways and improving communication abilities. A range of mental health specialists are involved to ensure the material provides a strong foundation for Imams to collaborate effectively with their local communities.
Educaid aims to enhance community resilience, boost mental health literacy and improve access to mental health services for Palestinian communities. It offers group-based healing circles and educational programs in schools, workshops and community centres. This is designed to create a supportive environment for participants to address grief, trauma and mental distress while fostering help-seeking behaviours.
Key aspects of the Educaid approach include educational outreach to local schools and training providers in cultural sensitivity, available in-person and online.
Gaza Association seeks to foster social connectedness, mental health and wellbeing while enhancing resilience through physical activities, traditional art and dance and a variety of community events. These initiatives aim to promote community spirit, encourage interfaith dialogue and deepen cultural understanding.
Additionally, mental health literacy approaches will enhance community members’ awareness, empowering them to identify and access support more effectively.
Palestinian Christians in Australia aims to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of the Palestinian Christian community through an immersive experience that integrates narrative therapy, storytelling and the celebration of cultural heritage. The project will offer a program called Stories of Hope which is designed to encourage ongoing community mental health discussions, social change, skill development and resilience.
This program includes Tatreez embroidery, music and dance, community storytelling and archiving. This is designed to engage participants with a therapeutic and culturally relevant approach that also provides connections to future support if needed.
Self-Actualize delivers biopsychosocial assessments to women and their children (as needed) through an outreach model to support impacted Palestinian families. Services include culturally appropriate assessments and psychoeducation, brief interventions to provide emotional support and mindfulness to address distress, grief and loss.
Service navigation and referrals to support services are provided based on the client’s needs. Referrals will come from the Palestinian community via the provider’s current network and other organisations funded under this initiative.
For more information, please email us at gazamentalhealth@wentwest.com.au
2kg Challenge
The 2kg Challenge is an eight-week lifestyle program designed to help patients reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes. Evidence shows that losing just 2kg can lower diabetes risk by 30% in at risk individuals.
How Health Professionals Can Get Involved:
✔ Refer eligible patients at risk of type 2 diabetes
✔ Support behaviour change with free coaching, exercise, and diet resources
✔ Encourage patients to engage through texts, emails, and videos
Encourage your patients to take the first step. Learn more.
Live Life Get Active Fitness Camps
To enhance access to exercise within the Western Sydney community and address prevalent issues like low physical activity and high obesity rates, we’ve collaborated with Live Life Get Active (LLGA) to offer free fitness camps and exercise classes in the region. These 45-minute sessions include yoga, boxing, and cross-training, catering to various fitness levels.
Fitness Camps and Online Classes
LLGA provides both face-to-face fitness camps and online exercise classes. In-person sessions are conducted at multiple locations across Western Sydney, while online classes are available as daily live streams and on-demand videos. Participants can also access resources on nutrition and wellness through the LLGA website. All offerings are free of charge.
Social Prescribing for Health Professionals
Social prescribing enables health professionals to refer individuals to non-clinical services that support overall well-being. To refer patients to LLGA’s programs, please visit the LLGA website for more information.
For further details and to register for classes, visit the LLGA website.
Progressing Health Now
Find out more about other Programs and Priorities for Western Sydney.
This information is correct as of 14 April 2025.