About us

‘’The Open Exchange was developed by community leaders from migrant and refugee communities with lived experience of mental illness and expertise in counselling and community education. The Open Exchange responds directly to a call to action from a community articulated need; namely to address social isolation, disconnection and low mental health literacy particularly men from migrant and refugee communities. We are proud to present this work to you.’’

 

Shankar Kasynathan, Founder – The Open Exchange

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Dwayne is a teenager from remote northwest Australia. If you find his community where it rests just outside the regional town of Kununurra and take a right at the giant crocodile t

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It was Jack Trust’s funeral. Several hundred people were filling the community hall in the east Kimberley community of Wuggubun. Many had known the Indigenous leader personally,

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Watching kids of the East Kimberley go about their life in the community, one gets a rather uncomfortable front-row seat to the wide disparity that exists between aspiration and op

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what they say

  • “The work of the Open Exchange - Men’s Circle is one of many evidence-based, community-led initiatives, across this country, helping to ensure that everyone can find a sense of belonging. Bringing together men from migrant and refugee communities with both lived experiences of mental illness, and expertise in counselling and community education to address social isolation, disconnection, and low mental health literacy - makes really good sense and is vitally important work.”

    Aleem Ali, CEO – Welcoming Australia

  • ‘’In my role as Commissioner at the Victorian Multicultural Commission, I witness, firsthand, the importance of holistic community engagement activities for members of our new and emerging communities tackling mental health challenges. The most impactful projects have a strong foundation of partnerships that lead to higher quality, sustainable outcomes. This has been seen by the Open Exchange, well supported by Welcoming Australia. This approach ensures key stakeholders in the community are listened to and activity is based on the needs and wants of those with lived experience, through consultative design, delivery and evaluation.”

    Dr. Judy Tang, Clinical Supervisor – The Open Exchange

  • "Our communities, particularly during COVID-19 have informed us about the lack of culturally appropriate and safe spaces for men from migrant and refugee backgrounds to socially connect in a structured space, to discuss their concerns and issues relating to social connection, family violence and broader mental health. This project addresses that need”.

    Nalliah Suriyakumaran, Chair – Darebin Ethnic Community Council City of Darebin

  • ‘’At the City of Monash, we know that mental wellbeing is crucial to a successful settlement and can be supported by firstly building confidence to participate in social and economic recovery. Secondly, fostering social connections and addressing social isolation by providing safe spaces for conversations. The Open Exchange addresses all the above as a place-based initiative.’’

    Fee Harrison, Manager – Community Strengthening City of Monash

Our team

The Open Exchange is led by those with lived experience of psycho-social challenges and working closely with diaspora communities and their organisations, the Open Exchange seeks to build mental health literacy among its participants, through a multi-faceted community engagement approach:

 

• Empowering community leaders to share a resource with their communities and subsequently in their own language
• Creation of online resources that can be easily shared across different generations of a given community
• Access to counselling services where community leaders in mental health first aid training support individuals to navigate the mental health service system in Victoria

• Development of place-based assets that are safe and accessible, and encourage help-seeking self-led behaviour change 

Shankar Kasynathan

Bruno Spandonide

Vinay Nair

Jagesh Panchal