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CHIN MEN’S HEALTH GROUP Report

6 sessions from Dec 2019-March 2020

Prepared by Liz Senior, Health Promotion Team, EACH.

Abstract The Chin Burmese community have higher rates of school disengagement and

contact with police than their peers, as well as experiencing untreated health issues. Psychological distress is common for the post-migration Burmese community

Engagement with health and wellbeing services is comparatively low for this cohort. To improve the knowledge and engagement of this group, in regards to the health

system, a series of workshops were held for men in the Chin community. This was a joint program between EACH and Migrant Information Centre

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Chin Men’s Health Group

Introduction

There are around 1,753 Myanmar born people living in the city of Maroondah1. For people from Burma, particularly

those who come from refugee camps in Thailand, knowing how and where to gain access to services can be a novel and

difficult experience. Evidence suggests that while new arrivals from Burma are assisted by those who have lived here

for a few years, at times they may still be reluctant to use certain services2.

Young people within the Chin community have higher rates of school disengagement and contact with police than their

peers, as well as experiencing untreated health issues and sometimes difficult living conditions. Refugees from Burma

often have little understanding of the health care and medical system in Australia and its various points of access. New

arrivals who require hospitalisation in their first months often find this a difficult experience due to their lack of English

and unfamiliarity with the hospital system. 3 Psychological distress is common for the post-migration Burmese

community 4 Engagement with health and wellbeing services is comparatively low for this cohort, particularly for young

males. Community leaders acknowledge that they had limited knowledge to support and educate families on how and

where to receive help when these issues escalate. Alcohol misuse and risk of homelessness were highlighted as

particular areas of concern.

EACH convenes a local refugee health network. At this network the need to address these issues was identified. A

working group was formed with the purpose being to meet with community leaders from the Chin community

regarding establishing linkages to support services. EACH invited MIC, DHHS, VicPol, Eastern Health, Foundation House

and Maroondah Council to participate. After discussion the group decided there was a need to build the knowledge and

resilience of the Burmese communities who care for their vulnerable members. This working group endorsed

engagement of a bicultural worker to positively engage with Hakka Chin youth and young men.

Funding was received from the Department of Health and Human Services in 2018 to engage and build capacity with the Hakha Chin Refugee community to help improve access to health and wellbeing services. As a part of the initial scoping of the project, the EACH Refugee Health team engaged with the Migrant Information Centre (MIC) to seek their expertise in developing an appropriate model for the project. Their recommendations inform the aims and method of this project as detailed below.

1 Fact Sheet No. 2 The Myanmar-Born Community in Victoria ─ 2016 Census 2 People of Burma in Melbourne: Perspectives of a refugee community 3 People of Burma in Melbourne: Perspectives of a refugee community 4 Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 45(4):299-307 · February 201. Mental Health of Newly Arrived Burmese Refugees in Australia: Contributions of Pre-Migration and Post-Migration Experience

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The Program

A bicultural worker (BCW), who is well known and accepted by the Haka Chin community was appointed to manage the project. Traditionally it has been difficult to attract Chin men, particularly young men to information sessions about health. Therefore, the BCW liaised with Haka Chin leaders, including a qualified mechanic, and relevant EACH and community organisations to develop a ‘Car Maintenance and Men’s Health and wellbeing group’ program. The program involved a car mechanic who addressed the group on the basics of car maintenance, including a practical session held at the mechanics garage which included, changing oil, water, tyres and what to look for in buying a car. Along with the instruction on car maintenance were sessions on general mental health and wellbeing, and how to access local health services. The program was held weekly and includes two presentations by a mechanic, along with workshops on, safe driving and talks from a variety of professionals about men’s health issues. Guest speakers have been drawn from EACH and the local police. Presenters and topics included:

o Safe Driving on the Road Martin Buzzell

Leading Senior Constable Maroondah Crime Prevention Officer o Safe Driving and how to access Health Services

Elizabeth Arland Physical Heath Project Officer from EACH

o Exercises for Physical and Mental Wellbeing and services available Stuart McDonald

Physiotherapist from EACH o How to maintain and service your car.

David Kheng Lawt Car Mechanic from CHIN Community

Martin Buzzell, Leading Senior

Constable, Maroondah Crime

Officer speaks to the group

about road rules.

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Evaluation Method

At the first session, demographic information of the attendees was collected. Eleven men attended the first session. At

four of the following sessions, increase in participant knowledge was tested through pre and post-tests. Pre-tests are

administered before each session commences and then again at the end of the session. Each attendee is asked three

questions relating to the content of the session. Around 11 Chin men have attended the six sessions.

At the final session a satisfaction survey was administered to gather information on how the participants felt about the

Chin Men’s Health Group and to collect ideas for further groups.

Results

Demography

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(Some respondents replied to both of these questions)

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Pre and post test results

Pre-test the total number of correct answer was 39%. Post- test the total number of correct answers was 60%.

22%

77%

66%70%

46%

62%

PRE POST

% CORRECT ANSWERS

Pre and Post test % of correct answers.

Staying Safe on the Road Safe Driving and Your Health.

Exercises for Physical and Mental Wellbeing.

Physiotherapist, Stuart,

provides a lesson in how to

lift correctly to protect

your back.

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Satisfaction Survey

Unfortunately, at the final session there were only 6 men in attendance. This is due to COVID19 virus and family

responsibilities within the group.

All six respondents indicated that they strongly agreed that they enjoyed attending the Chin Men’s Health Program, and

all six strongly agreed that they had a better understanding of how to find help for health issues.

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Five of the six respondents said they would like to attend a future Chin Health program.

Thursday appeared to be the most popular day for a group to be held.

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The two most popular topics were school, education and employment pathways and mental health issues. The

participants said that after these sessions they now had a better understanding of how to find and use health services

and were more confident to refer their community members to health services.

During the session’s participants were given:

• Contact lists of relevant referral agencies for referring and managing health issues

• Information on medication advice translated to Hakka Chin

• Information on Car Management. (see appendix, p11.)

Potential Topics and ideas

At the last meeting, the participants were asked what they would like to do in the group for the future.

Suggestions included:

• An exercise group, potentially a walking group. This was requested by the older members of the group.

Participants suggested walking in the park, or participating in an organised bush walk.

• The young participants suggested a safety for skate boarding group, and a mixed martial arts group

• Participants suggested having a picnic or outings as a group

• The younger group members wanted to learn about camping, and in particular learn about camping in Australia

including the regulations about camping, camp fires etc.

• Go on a bush walk and experience outdoor activities.

• Some members of the group wanted to include their families, others like the ‘male only’ group.

• All participants like the idea of continuing the group in some capacity.

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Mental health issues and where to receive help

School, education and employment pathways

Alcohol abuse, homelessness, police involvment.Where to find help.

Domestic violence and relationship breakdown

Please tick the topics you would be interested in attending (tick all you would be interested in )

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Recommendations

Unfortunately, due to the small number of participants at the final session when this survey was done, six people, less

than half of the normal group, it is difficult to get an accurate idea of what the group would like to do going ahead.

However, the group is quite popular with those who have attended and there is enthusiasm to continue to meet. More

research needs to be done with the community to find out when is a suitable time for them to meet, to increase the

number of attendees. The current group was held between 4:30 to 6:00 on a Thursday. Many participants struggled to

arrive at this time, with frequent late arrivals. If a group was held later, when men had arrived home from work and

boys from sporting commitments, attendance may improve.

It is well established that meeting in groups provides benefits for mental health. This is particularly for newly arrived

communities who are struggling to come to grips with a new country. Social connectedness provides resilience for

stressful life events and transitions. 5

5 Alexander K Saeri, Tegan Cruwys, et al. Social connectedness improves public mental health. Australian & New Zealand Journal of

Psychiatry 2018, Vol. 52(4) 365–374

Practical automotive session with David Kheng

Lawt, qualified mechanic.

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Thank you letter from the Chin Men’s Group

a tlamtlin khawhnak dingah riantuantu nan dihlak cungah kan ilawm.

Cun, a hleiin pa ngandamnak he pehtlaihin cawnnak ah arak kaimi vialte nan cungah kan ilawm.

Hi cawnpiaknak dingah chawva in a kan bomchantu Departmet of Health and Human Services cung

zongah kan ilawm khun. Cawnpiaknak a rak kaimi nih tlawknak tampi an hmuh theu lai, tiah zumhnak

kan ngei. Kan tanrual ahcun, hlawhtlinnak tampi kan hmu ko lai.

English Version: The above statement is about thanks to all participants including facilitators and staff who ran the programs. We also thanks to DHHS because of the supports we have been given for this Chin’s Men Health programs.

Final session with certificates awarded to all

participants by Edmond Wong, EACH Outer

East Primary Health Manager

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Help

Appendix

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Central East Mobile Support and

Treatment Service (03) 9843 5800 during business hours

1300 721 927 after hours

Eastern Drug and Alcohol Service 1300 78 99 78

Quit line - Support for quitting tobacco smoking 13 78 48

Men’s Line Australia 1800 858 858

Gamblers Help 1300 00 3224

Mental Health Services EACH

Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyondblue 1300 224 636

eheadspace 1800 650 890

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

Clinics

Medi7 Mooroolbark (03) 9013 9793

EACH Community Health Ringwood East (03) 9837 3900

Seymour Medical Centre Ringwood (03) 9955 0606

Services:

Emergency Services 000

Mental Health crisis: call

Psychiatric Triage: 1300 721 927

After Hours GP Helpline – Health Di-

rect 1800 022 222

Nurse on call – 24 Hr health

advise 1300 60 60 24

Mental Health Community Support Services Intake 1300785 358

Wesley Mission, Homeless support:

(03) 8870 4000

Eastern Melbourne Medicare

Local (Outer East) (03) 9871 1000

Inner Eastern Melbourne Medicare

Local (03) 8878 3755

Advice on Drugs or Alcohol

addiction Direct Line Eastern Drug and Alcohol

Service: 1800 888 236

Eastern Drug and Alcohol Service 1300 78 99 78

Quit line - Support for quitting tobacco smoking 13 78 48

Men’s Line Australia 1800 858 858

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Mah Si na din lioah, a tlawmbik suimilam

pahnih hlanah a tanglei Si; Paw lei si, Calcium

le Taandat um mi Si (Iron) le Chaw hnuk in

sermi lei din le ei lo ding.

Mah Si he zohkhenh na si lio ah, Zuu din lo

ding

Mah Si hi khai lo ding, den/hroh lo ding. A

pum in din/ei/lemh ding a si.

Mah Si nih hin na ruahnak le cawngcangh ning

a thlen/dan ter khawh. Cu ti na um ahcun,

Mawtaw le Seh lei thil hrim hrim tongh lo.

Sidawr ah Si konghe pehtlaihin, cawk le hman

na duh mi paoh, na Doctor maw, Si zuartu kha

hal hmasa.

Mah Si nih hin Ngutnak/mitkuhnak a

chuahter khawh. Zuu din chih sual ahcun,

azual ter chin chin khawh. Cu ti na um ahcun,

Mawtaw le Seh thilri hrim hrim tongh lo ding.

Mah Si hi a tlawmbik suimilam cheu; Rawl ei

hlan ah maw Ih hlan ah maw , na Paw lawn lio

lawngah din/ei ding.

Mah Si hi Zikhe tatdra (Fridge)a kih tuknak/a

khal ter nak ah chia hlah. Nain, a chunglei a kih

nak sawh sawh ah chiah ding.

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Mah Si hi Nau pawi mi hrim hrim nih din/ei lo

ding.

Mah Si hi taksa lenglei (Vun) le a dang

lawngah hman dingmi asi.

Mah Si he zohkhenh/thlawpbul na si lio hrim

hrim ah Misur thei (Grape) maw Misur hang ei

le din hrim hrim lo ding.

Na Doctor nih ngawl an ti hlan lo, Mah Si hi

nangmah nawl in ngawl lo ding.

Hngakchia tongh khawh lo nak ah chiah ding.

Mah Si hi Zaan hngilh khawhnak Si asi. Nain,

Ngutnak zong a chuahter khawh caah, cu ban-

tukin na um ahcun Mawtaw le Seh thilri hrim

hrim tongh lo ding.

Mah Si hi i chunh hrim hrim lo ding.

Thih khawh le fak ngai in zawtnak/harsatnak a chuahter khawh caah, midang zong nih

hman lo ding.

Mah Si hi Ti tampi he ei/din chih ding.

Mah Si hi amah dur/bawm in hmun dang le dur

dang ah thlen /tthial lo ding. Doctor nih na din

ning a thlen hlan lo.

Mah Si na din/ei lio hrim hrim ah, Zuu din hrim

hrim lo ding.

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CHIN MEN’S HEALTH PROMOTION Facilitator: David

Premise: Cherry Automotive 14/3-11 Coolstore Road Croydon VIC 3136 Date: 27/02/2020, @ 04:30PM – 06:30PM

The basic practical car management – Practical to be included

Checklists before long run/travelling

• External Lights – replace bulbs if necessary

• Fluids – check engine oil and engine coolant levels

• Tyres – ensure tyres are at the correct pressures, check treadwear

• Windscreen washer fluid

• Radiator coolant

• Spare tyre

• Car jack and tools

• Headlights

• Indicators/hazard lights

• Brake lights

• Reverse lights

• Park & Fog lights

• Windscreen wipers – check wear on wiper blades, replace if necessary

• Horn – ensure this works

Checklists before buying secondhanded/used car

• Seatbelts – check tension and belt buckle operation

• Handbrake

• Windscreens & mirrors – check windscreens and mirrors for cracks

• Spare tyre & jack – ensure they are operational, check toolkit

• Engine oil

• Brake fluid

• Power steering fluid

• Gearbox oil

• Tyre pressures

• Treadwear and tread depth

• Radiator hoses – check for leaks and cracking

• Engine air filter – check that it is clean

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• Battery – look for corrosion around terminals

• Fan belts – ensure none are loose or squeaking on start-up

• Unusual engine noises – hard to start, ticking, hissing or clunking

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