Tracy Tabvuma

Tabvuma Mental Health, Australia

Title: Understanding the mental health consequences of racism and the role of protective cultural factors for Black, African and CALD Communities in Australia

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Biography

Tracy is a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse, PhD candidate and founder of Tabvuma Mental Health. She champions culturally responsive care, serves on the ACMHN Board and has led statewide mental health initiatives. Tracy is committed to advancing mental wealth for Black, African, migrant and diverse communities through practice, policy, and research.

Abstract

Background: Racism is increasingly recognised as a key social determinant of mental health. The National Multicultural Health Framework calls for targeted, anti-racist and culturally safe approaches to address disparities. Despite this, Black and African Australians remain significantly underrepresented in research and health policy. This integrative systematic review explores the mental health impacts of racism on Culturally, Ethnically and Linguistically Diverse communities in Australia, especially the experiences of Black and African Australians. Additionally, protective factors that support wellbeing across the lifespan are identified.

Methods: A systematic integrative review methodology was used to synthesise both peer-reviewed and grey literature. Multiple databases (e.g., PsycINFO, CINAHL, Medline, Scopus) were searched for Australian studies that examined the intersection of racism and mental health in Culturally, Ethnically and Linguistically Diverse populations. Studies were quality appraised. A PICO-informed framework guided inclusion criteria, with thematic synthesis applied to qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method findings.

Results: Preliminary findings suggested 17 studies met inclusion criteria. Racism was consistently linked to poor mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression, psychological distress, trauma, and reduced help-seeking behaviours. Protective factors included strong cultural identity, community connection, spirituality, anti-racism initiatives and access to culturally responsive services. However, studies specific to Black and African Australians were limited, highlighting a critical data gap.

Conclusion: Racism has a profound impact on the mental health of CALD populations in Australia. Black and African Australians experience unique forms of racialisation and marginalisation that are rarely captured in mainstream data, limiting their visibility in policy responses. While broader CALD-focused strategies offer partial solutions, culturally specific responses are essential.

Implications: The preliminary findings of this review call for urgent implementation of the National Multicultural Health Framework’s anti-racism agenda, including better data disaggregation and community-led mental health strategies. For Black and African Australians, investment in culturally safe, trauma-informed and identity-affirming care models is critical. Policymakers, researchers, and practitioners must move beyond generic multicultural responses toward tailored strategies that dismantle systemic racism and promote equity in mental health outcomes.