Local Youth Actions for Reduced Inequalities – Addressing Mental Health Disparities Among Bangladeshi Migrants in Australia: Insights from a Mixed-Methods Study, Dr Pritimoy Das
Dr Pritimoy Das
Federation University Australia
Australia
Introduction: International Youth Day aims to acknowledge youth as essential partners in local development, promote policy coherence, and encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration. Our research work highlights how youth, particularly young migrants, are central to achieving these goals by addressing a gap concerning the mental health challenges faced by Bangladeshi migrants in Australia, directly supports SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by focusing on local mental health disparities.
Methods: In 2023-24, a mixed-methods study was conducted in Australia, involving quantitative surveys with 196 Bangladeshi young migrants and qualitative in-depth interviews with a subset of ten participants. Psychological distress and depression were assessed using the Kessler psychological distress scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, respectively.
Results: Among the study participants, 43% reported high to very high psychological distress, and 35% experienced high levels of depression. These rates are approximately three times higher than Australian national averages. Multiple comorbidities, discrimination and racism, loneliness, poor social connectedness, and low English proficiency were imposing at least double the risk to migrants. Qualitative insights further illuminated the lived experiences, highlighting a "dual burden" of projected success versus hidden struggles. Significant barriers to mental healthcare access emerged, including profound stigma within the community, limited awareness of available services, gaps in public health communication, concerns over cultural and religious mismatch with providers, and affordability barriers. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated informal coping strategies such as family/friend support and religious practices, alongside innovative self-help methods like affordable online counselling from Bangladesh and smartphone self-help apps.
Conclusion: This study uncovers disparities and highlights informal coping mechanisms that can be integrated into formal support structures. It also provides actionable recommendations for local governments, community organizations and young leaders for multi-stakeholder collaboration and investments in youth capacity-building to empower migrant youth and ensure equitable mental health outcomes, thus contributing to SDG localization.