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For me, the most significant concepts from domain 1 was that to provide quality care to refugees, I must recognise both past and present experiences (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019). I have enriched my knowledge by attending classes focusing on the refugee experience. Having analysed subdomain 1.2, I now realise the importance of trauma-informed care approaches in nursing which prevents the risk of re-traumatisation for this vulnerable group (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019). This skill is essential for me in the workplace, as I want to be a nurse who can adapt my practice to my patient’s needs. However, because I have little experience with caring for people of a refugee background, I must proactively look for clinicians with this experience and learn from them how to develop trauma-informed care (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019). Previously, I failed to fully comprehend the complexity of caring for individuals who’ve experienced PTSD and trauma. However, after reading domain 1.2 there’s much more to consider in an individual’s situation to gain a clearer picture.

Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership. (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds COMPLETE STANDARDS FRAMEWORK FOR CLINICIANS.

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Ukrainian children are fleeing Russian aggression. (Pruchnicki, 2022)

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For the Australian government to be successful in its efforts to resettle Ukrainian refugees, it must comprehend the impacts that social inclusion and non-discrimination have on this group’s physical and mental health. Already, many Ukrainian refugees are facing PTSD, depression, and anxiety from the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Transcultural Mental Health Centre, 2024). However, many refuse to immediately seek help due to stigma and lack of education on mental health in the Ukrainian culture (Transcultural Mental Health Centre, 2024). Therefore, these pre-existing mental health issues are easily triggered or amplified through this social determinant of health, disrupting healthy acculturation (Naidu et al., 2022). The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare acknowledges that “social exclusion through discrimination… can cause psychological damage and harm health through long-term stress and anxiety.” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024), increasing risk of diseases like hypertension (Naidu et al., 2022). Social exclusion can lead Ukrainian refugees to feel forced into assimilation, hence developing poor coping mechanisms like dwindling participation in healthy behaviours, such as regular fitness and medical appointments (Naidu et al., 2022). Instead, they may increase use of drugs, such as alcohol, to cope (Transcultural Mental Health Centre, 2024).

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). Social determinants of health. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/social-determinants-of-health

Pruchnicki, M. (2022). Ukrainian children are fleeing Russia aggression. Przemyśl, Poland 27/02/2022. In Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ukrainian_children_fleeing_Russia_aggression_Przemy%C5%9B1,_Poland_27_02_2022_(51913859740).jpg

Transcultural Mental Health Centre (2024, November 18). Supporting Communities Impacted by the Invasion of Ukraine. Transcultural Mental Health Centre https://www.dhi.health.nsw.gov.au/transcultural-mental-health-centre-tmhc/resources/community-mental-health-profiles-and-infomation-resources/supporting-communities-impacted-by-invasion-of-ukraine

Naidu, J., Paolucci, E. O., & Turin, T.C. (2022). Racism as a Social Determinant of Health for Newcomers towards Disrupting the Acculturation Process. Societies, 13(1), 2.  htps://doi.org/10.3390/soc13010002

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Refugees trudge over the remains of a destroyed bridge to cross a river and leave the city. (AP: Oleksandr Ratushniak)

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Majority of displaced Ukrainians, 86%, have reported suffering from significant mental health trials due to the ongoing uncertainty of their visa status (Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, 2024). These respondents include feelings of fear, depression, and uncertainty (Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, 2024). 55% have no direct family connections, which has further exacerbated the feeling of isolation and delayed the process of multicultural integration (Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, 2024). While pre-arrival trauma is easily recognised, the violence and upheaval in Ukraine from Russia’s invasion (Transcultural Mental Health Centre, 2024), temporary visas have been linked to worsening mental health status (Singleton et al., 2025). Health practitioners need to identify all these factors play into Ukrainian refugees’ mental health and implement appropriate evidence-based treatment. A strongly recommended treatment option is cognitive processing therapy (CPT), which methodically addresses posttraumatic themes throughout 12 sessions (Phoenix Australia, 2021). Themes like self-esteem, trust, and safety (Phoenix Australia, 2021). This treatment aims to develop balanced and realistic beliefs about their experiences and themselves (Phoenix Australia, 2021). The process enables the patient to challenge unhelpful beliefs about the traumatic events and substitute in logical alternatives (Phoenix Australia, 2021). This is a modified adaption of standard cognitive therapy (Phoenix Australia, 2021). CPT also involves imaginal exposure therapy, such as using writing an account of the trauma, enabling the patient to process the emotions tied to that event (Phoenix Australia, 2021).

Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations. (2024). Displaced Ukrainians in Australia 2022-2024: key visa issues, survey results and recommendations. Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations.

Phoenix Australia. (2021). Chapter 4 classification and grouping of interventions. In Australian guidelines for the prevention and treatment of acute stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD. Phoenix Australia. https://www.phoenixaustralia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PTSD-Guidelines-Chapter-4-Interventions.pdf

Ratushniak, O. (2022). Refugees trudge over the remains of a destroyed bridge to cross a river and leave the city. In ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-07/ukraine-photos-evacuation-refugee-crisis-russian-forces-advance/100887464#Top

Transcultural Mental Health Centre (2024, November 18). Supporting Communities Impacted by the Invasion of Ukraine. Transcultural Mental Health Centre

https://www.dhi.health.nsw.gov.au/transcultural-mental-health-centre-tmhc/resources/community-mental-health-profiles-and-infomation-resources/supporting-communities-impacted-by-invasion-of-Ukraine

Singleton, G., Hocking, D., Gardiner, J., & Paxton, G. (2025). Mental health. Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/mental-health/

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Folk medicine plays a pivotal role in Ukrainian health belief and traditions. A combination of empirical knowledge, elements of modern medicine, herbal remedies, and ‘medical magic’ (Yevtushenko et al., 2014).  An example of this is seen in their postpartum beliefs and practices, where they heavily rely on herbal remedies (Minnesota Department of Health, 2023). This involves using herbs such as chamomile, yarrow root, and nettle in teas, baths, or compresses (Minnesota Department of Health, 2023). These herbal remedies have been proven by modern research to have positive influences on postpartum recovery and lactation (Sibeko et al., 2021). Even WHO “recognizes that traditional, complementary and alternative medicine has many benefits.” (World Health Organisation, 2023). Chamomile has been effectively used to reduce the amount of postpartum haemorrhaging and reducing pain in natural births (Abedian et al., 2016). Similar, Yarrow root also has anti-haemorrhagic and anti-inflammatory properties (Saeidnia et al., 2011).  This is due to alkamides, active inflammatory compounds (Saeidnia et al., 2011), and its astringent properties (Chung, 2024). The nettle plant also shares similar coagulant characteristics as the other herbs; however, the Ukrainians uses nettle leaves to for detox, lactation (Bhusal et al., 2022) and to aid the mother’s recovery from childbirth (Chernyavska, 2013).

Abedian, Z., Rezvani Fard, M., Asili, J., Esmaeili, H. and Dadgar, S. (2016). Comparison of the effects of chamomile matricaria and mefenamic acid capsules on postpartum haemorrhage in women and postpartum pain. The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology and Infertility, 19(14), 1-8.

doi: 10.22038/ijogi.2016.7380

Bhusal, K.K., Madgar, S. K., Thapa, R., Lamsal, A., Bhandari, S., Maharjan, R., Shrestha, S., & Shrestha, J. (2022). Nutritional and pharmacological importance of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.): A review. Heliyon, 8(6). PubMed Central.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09717

Chernyavska, M. (2013). Contemporary Ukrainian Home Birth Customs (pp. 31-32). University of Alberta.

https://doi.org/10.7939/R30M7Q

Chung, B. (2024). 5 Amazing benefits of yarrow. Nature With Us. https://naturewithus.com/articles/medicinal-plants/5-amazing-benefits-of-yarrow

Minnesota Department of Health. (2023). Ukrainian Culture & Foods. 4. https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wic/localagency/culture/ukrainian.pdf

Saiednia S., Gohari, A., Mokhber-Dezfuli, N., &Kiuchi, F. (2011). A review on phytochemistry and medicinal properties of the genus Achillea. DARU: Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Science, 19(3), 173. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3232110/#S0001

Sibeko, L., Johns, T., & Cordeiro, L. S. (2021). Traditional plant use during lactation and postpartum recovery: Infant development and maternal health roles. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 279, 114377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114377

World Health Organisation. (2023, August 9). Traditional medicine.

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/traditional-medicine

Yevtushenko, V., Pokanevych, O., & Radysh, Y. (2014). Folk medicine in the therritory if Ukraine: introduction to the problem. The  Pharma Innovation Journal, 3(5), 28-29. https://www.thepharmajournal.com/archives/2014/vol3issue5/PartA/16.1.pdf