Finding Mental Health Support: A Guide for Oromo Families in Victoria

Mental health challenges can feel isolating, but for Victoria’s Oromo community, support is available—in your language, with respect for your culture.

In every community, there are struggles that are not always visible. Depression, anxiety, trauma, and isolation do not announce themselves. They linger in silence, often worsened by the weight of displacement, language barriers, and the pressure to appear strong.

For Oromo families in Victoria, these challenges are compounded by the experience of migration. Many have fled political repression in Oromia and carry the scars of displacement. Others are navigating the complex adjustment to a new country while supporting elders, raising children, and maintaining cultural traditions in a foreign land .

Yet, help is available. And increasingly, it is being designed specifically for communities like yours.

The Impact of Migration on Mental Health

The journey to Australia is rarely simple. For many Oromo refugees, it has involved trauma, loss, and the upheaval of everything familiar. Settlement in a new country brings fresh challenges: language barriers, cultural adjustment, financial stress, and social isolation .

These pressures take a toll. Research has consistently shown that culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities face greater risks of mental health challenges—and often struggle to navigate services that do not feel accessible or welcoming .

For Oromo families, the stigma around mental health adds another layer of difficulty. In many cultures, talking about depression or anxiety is not common practice. The words “mental health” themselves can carry shame . This is why culturally appropriate approaches are so vital.

Community-Led Support: Organisations Making a Difference

Advocacy for Oromia

Advocacy for Oromia, based in Melbourne, has been at the forefront of mental health support for the Oromo community for over a decade. Their achievements between 2014 and 2022 demonstrate a deep commitment to community wellbeing .

In 2017-18 alone, their community education programs supported 600 Oromos to improve their mental health. Through sessions called Shanan and Ulmaa Bahuu, women were able to address depression, anxiety, low self-confidence, and feelings of isolation. These sessions also addressed perinatal mental health issues, offering mutual care and support in a culturally familiar setting .

They have run numerous mental health education sessions, peace education workshops, and information sessions on preventing violence against women. Their approach is community-centred and strengths-based, focusing on building knowledge and skills while respecting cultural values .

Contact Advocacy for Oromia: Located in Melbourne at 247-251 Flinders Lane .

The Oromo Association in Victoria Australia (OAVA)

Established in 2002, OAVA is a non-political, community-focused organisation dedicated to supporting Oromo refugees and migrants . Their work includes:

  • Settlement assistance for new arrivals
  • Access to healthcare and mental health support
  • Counseling to address the trauma of displacement and resettlement
  • Job training and employment support to build independence and reduce stress

OAVA understands that mental health cannot be separated from the broader challenges of settlement. By addressing housing, employment, and social integration, they help build the foundations for wellbeing .

The Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria Inc.

This community hub in Melbourne offers a wide range of support services, including counselling, family support, and community outreach programmes . They collaborate with local organisations to deliver workshops on mental health, nutrition, and financial literacy—all crucial for personal development and community cohesion .

The Power of Community Connection

One of the most effective forms of mental health support is simply coming together. In February 2025, the Federation of Oromo Civic Organizations in Australia and the Oromo Seniors Welfare and Benevolent Association held a dinner event in Melbourne that brought together seniors, youth, and families .

The benefits of such gatherings are profound:

  • Reducing isolation, especially for seniors who may feel lonely in the diaspora
  • Cultural affirmation that boosts self-esteem and mental wellbeing
  • Open dialogue about community challenges and resources
  • Intergenerational connection that allows elders to share cultural knowledge

As one community reflection noted, “For many in the diaspora, especially seniors, such gatherings provide a sense of connection and reduce feelings of loneliness or alienation” .

Broader Support: Services for CALD Communities in Victoria

Beyond community-specific organisations, Victoria has a growing network of services for culturally diverse communities.

Afri-Aus Care

Based in Springvale South, Afri-Aus Care was founded in 2015 to provide culturally appropriate support to African Australian and CALD communities . They offer:

  • Psychosocial and wellbeing risk assessment
  • Casework and counselling
  • Culturally Appropriate Mental Health Support
  • Legal and court support
  • Domestic violence support and youth crime prevention

In 2024, Afri-Aus Care received a $235,000 grant from the Victorian Government to run a specialist mental health program supporting African Australian communities, including Ethiopian and Somali communities. The program focuses on removing stigma and cultural taboos surrounding poor mental health .

Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants Program

The Victorian Government has invested $4.2 million in supporting diverse communities’ mental health. This program recognises that Victorians from diverse backgrounds often face greater mental health challenges and difficulty accessing inclusive, culturally safe services .

Organisations benefiting from this funding include:

  • Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria
  • Muslim Mental Health Professionals
  • African Australian Welfare Bureau
  • Victorian Refugee Health Network

Practical Steps for Oromo Families

If you or a family member is struggling with mental health challenges, here is a path forward:

1. Start with your community organisation
Reach out to Advocacy for Oromia, OAVA, or the Australian Oromo Community Association. They understand your language, culture, and the specific challenges you face.

2. Look for culturally appropriate services
Organisations like Afri-Aus Care and multicultural mental health programs are designed to be welcoming and non-stigmatising.

3. Attend community events
Gatherings like the Federation of Oromo Civic Organizations events are more than social—they are lifelines that can reduce isolation and connect you with resources.

4. Consider counselling with bilingual professionals
Ask about services where staff speak your language or understand your cultural context.

5. Call a crisis line if needed
National helplines like Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue offer confidential support. Ask for an interpreter if needed.

Breaking the Silence

Mental health challenges are not a sign of weakness. They are a human experience—and one that can be addressed with the right support.

The stigma around mental health is real, but it can be broken. As Selba Gondoza Luka, founder of Afri-Aus Care, discovered, helping others can also be a path to healing. “When I started the organisation, I had depression and anxiety. But then I started helping others and I saw the healing. It was a speedy recovery,” she said .

You are not alone. There is support, there is understanding, and there is a community ready to help.

For more information or to get support, contact:

  • Advocacy for Oromia: Melbourne, VIC | http://www.advocacy4oromia.org
  • Afri-Aus Care: Springvale South | Culturally appropriate mental health support
  • Lifeline: 13 11 14 | 24-hour crisis support
  • Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 | Mental health support and resources

Mental health matters. Your wellbeing matters. And you deserve support that respects who you are.