The Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre (QTMHC) is celebrating 30 years of service, ensuring people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds receive culturally responsive mental health care and support.
The anniversary marks a story of persistence, partnership and purpose.
From humble beginnings in 1996, QTMHC was founded on a simple but powerful idea that culture and language should never be barriers to care.
At a time when multicultural mental health was still emerging, a small team working out of an office within the Psychiatric Department at Princess Alexandra Hospital began building something new.
Commissioner of the Queensland Mental Health Commission Ivan Frkovic was the first Manager of QTMHC until 2000 and said being part of establishing the service remains one of the most meaningful and defining experiences of his career.
“Building on earlier work in developing community-based initiatives such as the Croatian Psychiatric Program and Harmony Place, QTMHC created an opportunity to work more closely with the mainstream public mental health system,” he said.
“At its core, this work was not only about improving access, important as this was. It was about supporting services to genuinely understand and respond to people’s cultural and linguistic needs and lived experiences, and the vital role this plays in improving mental health outcomes.”
Over the years, that small service has grown into a statewide leader, supporting clinicians, services and communities across Queensland, extending far beyond its base in Metro South Health.
Throughout its history, QTMHC has played a critical role in shaping practice and policy.
From establishing the Transcultural Clinical Consultation Service in the late 1990s, to developing innovative programs like BRiTA (Building Resilience in Transcultural Adolescents), the service has consistently led the way in embedding cultural understanding into mental health care.
QTMHC Statewide Manager Asmir Kospic said the milestone marks thirty years of standing alongside some of Queensland’s most vulnerable and underserved communities.
“It is the story of a service that refused to accept that culture and language should ever be a barrier to mental health care, and that turned that refusal into a statewide specialist service built on shared vision, commitment, and the persistence of remarkable people.
“I wish to sincerely acknowledge the dedication of all those who came before us, the clinicians, Cultural Advisors, administrators, and leaders whose foundations we stand on today. Without their passion and their shared belief that better outcomes are possible, none of what we’re celebrating would exist. This work is theirs as much as it is ours.”
QTMHC’s impact has been recognised through several prestigious awards including a Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Award, Summit International Racial Equity Leadership Award, and Metro South Health Gala Staff Award, to name a few.
Senior Director of Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Janet Martin said the service has consistently led the way in embedding cultural responsiveness into mental health care.
“QTMHC has evolved into a robust and trusted service that is essential to the development of a healthcare system responsive to Queensland’s culturally diverse population.”
Metro South Health A/Chief Operating Officer Kieran Kinsella said it has been both a privilege and a responsibility to host the Centre within the Health Service
“Over three decades, QTMHC has played a critical role in improving access, equity, and outcomes for culturally and linguistically diverse communities across Queensland.”
Statewide Transcultural Mental Health Practice Leader Dragos Ileana said Queensland is becoming increasingly diverse, and the need for culturally safe mental health care is growing.
“The future will ask us to keep listening, to keep learning, and to keep reflecting. But also, to be brave enough to challenge systems that unintentionally exclude cultural identity simply because it does not fit the status quo and to keep believing in the power of culture, community, compassion, and humanity.”
The 30-year celebration held on 14 April was a wonderful opportunity for former and current staff, statewide partners, and stakeholders to gather. The event featured a vibrant program of cultural displays including drumming, henna painting, food, dragon dancing, Pasifika customs, and many opportunities for connection.
Congratulations on 30 years QTMHC!