> Julie Dardel

Young carers from families that speak languages other than English - and/or who come from a refugee background - have a few extra challenges to deal with. The following information, from Carer’s NSW Multicultural Development worker, Julie Dardel, may help young people in this position – or those who work with them.

What is it like to be a young carer in a family that speaks languages other than English?

"What did the doctor/ bank manager/ solicitor/ psychiatrist/ next door neighbour/ news/ radio program say?" It can seem endless...

For those of us whose parents do not speak much English, we become used to playing the role of the good son/daughter, the interpreter/translator, the thinker/speaker, and worst of all, the doctor/ lawyer/ banker. We may even play some of these roles at once!

I still remember taking my mum to the different specialists when I was at uni. My mother thought I would know everything about health and mental health because I was at uni. I was expected to translate and explain all the information relating to diabetes, depression, anxiety, and more. I was also expected to be a financial planner and a legal adviser because I read english. I also recall that every time I translated something, my mum would turn around and ask me what to do. So I became the person responsible even though she made the decision herself! (And I was barely of a legal age to make any decisions...)

The parent-child relationship at home can often be blurry. Sometimes it feels almost like we are parenting our parent. We are forced to become super grown-ups too early. We have to absorb, process, explain and act upon all sorts of information that even normal adults do not understand.

What can you do if you find translating difficult?

Not being able to understand or having trouble explaining and translating something is perfectly normal. We don't need to feel ashamed or guilty. Some concepts are very hard to translate or explain in another language. Most medical, legal and financial concepts need years of study to understand well.

It's really important to ask for help!

Medical people, community organisations and some private organisations have access to interpreters who can help with translations to other languages. Ask your local doctor, nurses, social workers etc if they can organise an interpreter for you. Often it is still helpful to be around when an interpreter meets with our family member so that we can help them to understand. It is really a matter of asking. Be insistent and assertive, don't be discouraged!

What if my family doesn't want help from outside the family?

You might be worried that your parents may not want someone outside of the family to help. Be honest, tell them that you find it hard to both translate and get the information that you need. Explain to them that if someone helps to translate the content, you will be able to get more information for them.

How can the Carers NSW Young Carer Project help me?

Young carers across all cultures have many things in common. The Young Carer Project at Carers NSW run many activities that you could find useful. You could get the chance to meet lots of other young carers so that you don't feel so alone. Reach out!

What websites could help me?

There is lots of online multilingual information available to help you and your parents understand health and financial matters better. The following websites may be helpful:

NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service provides information about health issues in different languages. It covers a wide range of diseases, illness and health conditions as well as information about the health systems and how to use the system. It provides a good starting point.

Multicultural Mental Health Australia website provides a range of multilingual information on mental health related topics. The materials come from across Australia, and sometimes internationally.

STARTTS, the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors provides information and services for people who have come to Australia from refugee backgrounds.

Centrelink has information in different languages on their website.

The NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care has information in different languages for older people, young people with disabilities and carers. Go to the bottom of the page and click on the language your parents speak! The 'Helping You at Home' brochure may be helpful!

Source: Carers’ Australia. Frequently Asked Questions section. Used with permission.

© 2010 STARTTS  Contact: hintsforhealing@startts.org.au