'Life-saving training in translation': Suicide prevention training for refugees launches in six languages ahead of World Refugee Day

Wesley Mission

Media release                                                                   17 June 2025

‘Life-saving training in translation’: Suicide prevention training for refugees launches in six languages ahead of World Refugee Day

In a national first, Wesley LifeForce has launched suicide prevention training tailored for refugee and asylum seeker communities in Australia — now available in six languages and co-designed with survivors of torture, trauma and forced displacement.

The culturally responsive training, informed by lived experience, is being delivered in Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Karen, Khmer and Tamil, in recognition of the critical need for mental health support that breaks through language and cultural barriers.

Wesely LifeForce General Manager, Andy Moore, says refugees and asylum seekers often face significant mental health challenges due to experiences of war, persecution, displacement and trauma.

“Many arrive in Australia after enduring extreme hardship, including torture, violence, family separation and prolonged uncertainty in detention or temporary visa status.”

The training comes as research shows refugees and asylum seekers in Australia experience disproportionately high rates of suicide, PTSD and psychological distress, often further exacerbated by a lack of access to culturally appropriate care.

Mr Moore, says “These experiences, combined with language barriers, social isolation, unemployment and difficulty accessing culturally appropriate mental health support, place them at a higher risk of suicide.”

Key facts :

• Refugees and asylum seekers in Australia have a female and male suicide ideation rate of 17 % and 10% respectively
• Over 50% report poor mental health
• More than 25% experience PTSD

Developed in partnership with STARTTS (Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation or Torture and Trauma Survivors) NSW and first piloted in 2021, the program uses a ‘train the trainer’ model to build long-term capacity within communities.

In 2025, the training became fully accessible in six languages, a vital step ensuring refugee and asylum seeker communities can engage with the content in their own language. Evaluation data shows a 100% increase in both suicide prevention knowledge and confidence to respond after completing the training.

Now entering wider rollout, the training represents a major milestone in the Wesley LifeForce 30-year legacy of grassroots suicide prevention. Since its founding, the program has trained over 50,000 people and mobilised more than 3,000 volunteers across 132 community-led networks nationwide.

“As Australia marks Refugee Week, we are calling for all governments to support programs that do not just talk inclusion — they deliver it,” says Mr Moore. “This model shows what is possible when we listen to communities and back them with the right tools.”

To learn more or bring this training to your community, visit wesleylifeforce.org.au or contact [email protected]

ENDS

Available for interview: Wesley LifeForce National Training Manager, Bethany Farley

STARTTS NSW

Lived experience Refugee/asylum seeker trainers

Training participants

Media contact: Anne Holt  [email protected]  0418 628 342

About Wesley Mission’s Suicide Prevention work

Wesley LifeForce is a national suicide prevention program run by Wesley Mission that educates, empowers and resources local communities, supporting people most at risk. More than 50,000 people have been trained through the program during the past 15 years.

With a presence in every state, focusing on areas where the problem of suicide hits the hardest, Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention Networks are community-led action groups addressing suicide at a local level. So far, there are 138 groups across Australia representing a membership of more than 3,000 people. New networks are being established every year through the support of the Commonwealth Government and Primary Health Networks.

For further information click here.

MEDIA PLEASE NOTE: Most people – including media professionals – have been touched by suicide. For safe reporting guidelines on suicide go to:  

https://everymind.org.au/resources/mindframe-for-media-professionals

People who are experiencing distress can contact

Emergency 000          Lifeline 13 11 14         24 Hour Mental Health Line 1800 011 511

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467       13YARN 13 92 76            QLife 1800 184 527

Transcultural Mental Health Line (TMHL) 1800 648 911