The app is available in Farsi, Arabic, Tamil and English and will provide tips and useful contacts about setting up in a new country as well as advice on accessing government and community services.
It is a collaboration between Settlement Services International, beyondblue and the Movember Foundation.
Orthopedic surgeon and former Iraqi refugee, Dr Munjed Muderis, is an ambassador for the New Roots Project and hopes the app will make a difference for refugees.
“I know from my own experience that this can be a very stressful and difficult period, when settling in a new country,” he said.
“The New Roots app can help with staying healthy through exercise and eating well, as well as connecting with people by joining local community and sports organisations and attending cultural activities.”
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said a 12-month pilot program would test the app before it was rolled out nationally.
“People from refugee backgrounds who are resettling in countries like Australia have typically been through traumatic experiences in the countries they are fleeing from,” she said.
“The three elements of the New Roots Project — the app, community training and an online toolkit — are designed to relieve some of that stress and to provide easily accessible tools and information that men can use to rebuild their own health and wellbeing.”
New Roots ambassador Hameed Kherkhah said he wished there had been something like the refugee support app when he arrived in Australia. (Facebook) Source: SBS
Beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman said the app would play a key role in providing support in the area of mental health for newly arrived refugees, something many struggle with.
“Beyondblue wants all people living in Australia to achieve their best possible mental health. Having access to this app and its practical information in their native language may help men cope with the stress of living in a new country and adapting to a new culture, and also explain about where to get help if they need it,” she said.
For cricketer Hameed Kherkhah, who will play for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, arriving in Australia as a refugee was a very challenging experience for him and his family who came here after fleeing Afghanistan.
“I was young, but I remember that my brothers and dad found it very hard and they had a lot of difficulties finding work, getting driving licenses, meeting other people and finding sports clubs,” Mr Kherkhah said.
“I meet a lot of people in my community who are in a similar situation today to what we were in. They need help to find work, housing, sports clubs and this app can help with these things. I think it’s great; all the information is there in your pocket, on your phone, and in your language.
