The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has inflicted negative thoughts, myths, and concerns that affect individual and community perceptions and attitudes with conceivable or likely anxiety and depression during COVID-19 lockdown and after lifting or easing restrictions by the Victorian Government.
This survey investigates understanding and experiences about COVID-19 during the impact of the first and second waves on the mental health of Africans, with a particular focus on South Sudanese Australians. Furthermore, the survey will provide the basis to establish evidence for the prevalence of mental health within South Sudanese Communities.
When we talk about mental health, we mean psychological and emotional wellbeing. Mental illnesses such as stress and anxieties can lower our work productivity and contribution to society.
Therefore, it is equally essential for individuals in the family and community to understand the impact of mental illness and the available mental healthcare-specific services during COVID-19 and beyond. This survey study’s data will help understand how the community would be provided more social, physical, mental health, and economic support in the current unpredictable post-COVID-19 crisis recovery processes and possible future pandemics.
Aim
The research aims to establish evidence about the prevalence of mental health within African Australian-South Sudanese communities pre, during and post COVID-19. It will further form the basis to build capacity and resilience.
Objectives
- Build capacity and resilience for the families, young people, social workers, multicultural aides in schools during pandemics and their related restrictions
- Address the prevalence of mental health and early interventions
- Establish mental health data prevalence during and post COVID-19
- Contribute to codesigning of culturally appropriate and sensitive resources or materials about COVID-19 and mental health issues, and services developed by the Victorian Government for the COVID-19
- Facilitate the referrals of individuals affected to access appropriate mental health-specific services in Victoria
- Establish a strong partnership and collaboration with mental health-specific services to work with the migrant and refugee backgrounds, including South Sudanese and other African Australian communities
Methodology
The data is collected through a survey using SurveyMonkey and community consultations. In addition, the CMRH has made a review of the national and state mental health of the migrant, refugees, and asylum-seekers mental health.
Investigators
The Centre for Migrant and Refugee Health (CMRH) is collaborating with the Australian National University (ANU)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Garang Dut, ANU
Co-Investigator: Mr Mabor Chadhuol, CMRH
Collaborating agencies: Community organisations- Sudanese Mothers Coalition in Victoria, South Sudanese Communities, and other Africans Organisations
