CERSH in partnership with CEH (MHSS) are working closely with the Mildura Community targeting the rise in syphilis. Mildura is an incredibly diverse community and after conversations with CERSH and Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council (SMECC), it was identified there is a need to deliver sexual health community education to the diverse communities.
CEH (MHSS) in Partnership with CERSH collaborated to deliver STI education session to SMECC staff who work with communities from refugee and migrant backgrounds. The aim was to build their capacity and confidence to have these conversations with their communities and also to increase their sexual health knowledge. After the training, SMECC staff will still be able to reach the communities just in a softer entry approach, through the staff they have trusting relationship with.
Overall, the participants reported that it was a very good session they learnt a lot and will share the information with their clients, colleagues and family. After the training participants reported that they feel confident to speak to their clients.
To address cultural and language issues across all aspects of STIs, MHSS has developed Australia’s first and only dedicated STI Testing Week website tailored specifically for Victoria’s multicultural communities. It includes plain language and in-language information for community members, as well as resources and social media assets to help health workers with conversations about sexual health with clients from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Head to: talktesttreat.org.au