This presentation introduces a concept born out of my personal reflections as a young carer for my mother, who struggled with severe mental health issues in a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) community. As her primary caregiver, I often felt isolated, unsupported, and marginalised by my own community, which had deep-rooted cultural stigmas surrounding mental health and suicide. When my mother took her own life, I realised how vital it was to break the silence surrounding mental health and foster open, intergenerational dialogue. This program is the solution I wish had existed during my caregiving years—a program designed to help other families navigate these deeply challenging conversations.
The Intergenerational Dialogue Program seeks to create safe, culturally sensitive spaces where young carers and elders in CaLD families can engage in guided conversations about mental health and suicide. The program bridges the generational gap by facilitating structured workshops, where young carers can share their lived experiences, and elders can provide traditional cultural perspectives. Through this dialogue, I aim to challenge and dismantle the cultural taboos that often prevent families from discussing mental health openly.
Drawing from my own experiences, this program is deeply personal. As a young carer, I felt disconnected, both from the mental health system and from my community. There were no culturally relevant resources or support systems that could help me talk openly about my struggles or seek help. This concept represents the kind of support I needed—one that acknowledges the specific challenges faced by CaLD young carers and empowers families to support each other in ways that respect their cultural identity.
The program is innovative in that it addresses the unique challenges of mental health in CaLD families, where stigma often silences discussions. By engaging both generations in meaningful conversations, the program creates long-term resilience within families, helping them to become a united force in suicide prevention.
Though in its conceptual phase, this program holds the potential to transform suicide prevention strategies within CaLD communities by using culturally adapted facilitation techniques. The integration of community leaders as facilitators ensures that the dialogue is both respectful and relevant. The program aligns with the conference theme, "Together Towards Tomorrow," by focusing on collective, family-based action that encourages a future of proactive mental health conversations.
I invite thought leaders, mental health professionals, and community representatives to join me in bringing this concept to life.