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Thanaka is an extraordinary beauty custom in Myanmar where females and children line their faces with pale-yellow paste. This paste can be fine lines on the cheek area to cheeks that completely cover the area from the chin up to the forehead. It is prepared from Thanaka powder obtained from the outer layer of the leaves of a tall tree grown in the hill zone and has medicinal value. The Burmese use Thanaka because it improves the skin texture, is accepted as a beauty product that protects the skin from the sun and wrinkles, and is a medicine for looking beautiful (Abrams, 2020).

Abrams, D. (2020, April 15). Unique traditions in Myanmar. TransIndus. https://www.transindus.co.uk/inspiration/blog/unique-traditions-in-myanmar/

Goldsberry, A., Dinner, A., & Hanke, C. W. (2014). Thanaka: traditional Burmese sun protection. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology: JDD, ¹³(3), 306–307. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24595576/

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Myanmar (Burmese) Culture - Other Considerations. (2017). Cultural Atlas. https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/myanmar-burmese-culture/burmese-myanmar-culture-other-considerations

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My most crucial realization was understanding that refugee-like experiences may affect a person's health (Domain 1.2). I have enhanced my ability to practice more sensitively with patients who have trauma histories. I have learned to adjust my approach when conducting tests and clinical, diagnostic, or treatment procedures. This understanding will be valuable in the workplace, as it will help us understand that specific triggers may emerge once in medical examination or treatment (Cultural et al., 2023). Previously, I might not have recognized indications of uneasiness or discomfort. However, I have learned it is appropriate to spend some time to help the patient comfort before focusing on all other procedures. (Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds COMPETENCY STANDARDS FRAMEWORK FOR CLINICIANS 2019)

Aboriginal Cultural Competency and Capability Framework. (2023, January). https://www.wapha.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WAPHA_Aboriginal-Cultural-Framework.pdf

Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds COMPETENCY STANDARDS FRAMEWORK FOR CLINICIANS. 2019. https://cbrhl.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Culturally-responsive-clinica.pdf.

Tomasi, A.-M., Slewa-Younan, S., Narchal, R., & Rioseco, P. (2022, July). Understanding the mental health and help-seeking behaviors of refugees. Aifs.gov.au. https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/understanding-mental-health-and-help-seeking-behaviours-refugees

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Burmese women fight for rights and inclusion 2020

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 Impact of social inclusion and non-discrimination

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 Impact of social inclusion and non-discrimination

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The social factors that are influenced by biological, economic, political, cultural, physical, and other environmental factors are very influential in determining the health status of a population besides the medical aspects (WHO,2023). The evidence establishes that it underscores that social determinant such as socioeconomic status, literacy, work environment, income distribution, power, and support influence and either enhance or compromise the health of people and populations (Baum, 2018; Wilkinson & Marmot, 2003). The Burmese people follow their sentences with laughter; this might be an aspect of simple language. The Australian Government Department of Health Aged Care aims to provide entry-level assistance for low-level help and services.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024, July 2). Social determinants of health. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; Australian Government. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/social-determinants-of-health

The Inclusive Australia Social Inclusion Index: Report. (2020-21) Inclusive Australia. https://www.inclusiveaustralia.com.au/resources/the-inclusive-australia-social-inclusion-index-2020-21-report-1

World Health Organisation. (2020). Social Determinants of Health. https://www.who.int/teams/social-determinants-of-health

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Common health issues that refugees from Burma

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Common health issues that refugees from Burma

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Many refugees who migrate from their country of origin to a new homeland experienced trauma with language difficulties, housing, and financial instability, and unemployment (Wong et al., 2020). Pre-migration traumas were multiple and severe; most refugees reported several pre-migratory traumata. In Australia, Burmese people reported post-traumatic stress disorder (9%), anxiety (20%), and depression (36%) as well as significant symptoms of somatization (37%) (Schweitzer et al., 2011).

Outpatient department in a government hospital – Treatment option for the patient. Ongoing review and reinforcement of reduced isolation AND affirmation activities (strengths & evidence that makes the client resilient) Advise regular exercise, good nutrition, sleep, and hygiene and relaxation strategies (Australian Refugee Health, 2012).

Mental Health» Australian Refugee Health. (2012). https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/mental-health/

Schweitzer, R. D., Brough, M., Vromans, L., & Asic-Kobe, M. (2011). Mental Health of Newly Arrived Burmese Refugees in Australia: Contributions of Pre-Migration and Post-Migration Experience. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, ⁴⁵(4), 299–307. https://doi.org/10.3109/00048674.2010.543412

Wong, C. K., White, C., Thay, B., & Lassemillante, A.-C. M. (2020). Living a Healthy Life in Australia: Exploring Influences on Health for Refugees from Myanmar. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, ¹⁷(1), 121. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010121

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Theravada Buddhism: The major religion in Myanmar today is Theravada Buddhism (Hayward & Wai Naing, 2023). Theravadan Buddhism embodies the triple gem of Buddha (the teacher), dharma (teaching), and Sangha (monastic/community) (Evason, 2017). Theravada Buddhists aim to gain liberation from the wheel of suffering; they need good Karma in this life and their next; if they wish to be successful here and now, they may also progress towards enlightenment (Harvard Divinity School, 2023). Burman Buddhists also have tag lines like "to be Burmese, it is to be a Buddhist." Buddhism learned the unique thing of developing the Meditation techniques. Meditation was taught by Buddha to people for the first time under British colonialism, and it is still so today (Human Rights Watch, 2009).

Evason, N. (2017). Myanmar (Burmese) Culture - Religion. Cultural Atlas. https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/myanmar-burmese-culture/burmese-myanmar-culture-religion

Harvard Divinity School. (2023). Buddhism in Myanmar. Rpl.hds.harvard.edu.

https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/buddhism-myanmar

Hayward, S., & Wai Naing, H. (2023, June). Myanmar. United States Institute of Peace. https://www.usip.org/programs/religion-and-conflict-country-profiles/myanmar

Human Rights Watch. (2009, September 22). The Resistance of the Monks. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/report/2009/09/22/resistance-monks/buddhism-and-activism-burma

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With 54 million people living there, 70% of them are native speakers of Burmese, the language's official tongue. Additionally, Burmese is the primary language spoken in the nation and among groups of Myanmar people living abroad, including those in major Australian cities such as London, Singapore, Tokyo, and San Francisco (Britannica, 2019).

Three language families comprise the native languages spoken in Myanmar (S, 2024). The Tibeto-Burman subfamily of Sino-Tibetan languages includes Burmese and most other languages. The Tai language family includes the Shan language. The Mon-Khmer subfamily of Austroasiatic languages includes the languages spoken by the Mon people of southern Myanmar and the Wa and Palaung people of the Shan Plateau (Burmese | Department of Asian Studies, 2023).

Britannica. (2019). Myanmar - Languages | Britannica. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Myanmar/Languages

S, R. (2024, June 10). Casting the Spotlight on the Burmese Language. Asian Absolute. https://asianabsolute.co.uk/blog/burmese-language/

Burmese | Department of Asian Studies. (2023). Cornell.edu. https://asianstudies.cornell.edu/research/burmese

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Of all the Myanmar rituals and traditions, the Thingyan water festival is undoubtedly the most awaited (Zaw, 2016). Despite being a Theravada Buddhist celebration, people from many backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures come together to enjoy these five days of water-related mayhem. (Burmese Festival: Thingyan, 2024) The celebration has a rich mythological history and stands for something far more profound. Day 1 is the beginning of the religious rites. Day Two exhibits that the day has come for Lord Indra to arrive on Earth. Day 3 of Indra's Earthly sojourn. Day 4: The Lord leaves today and returns to his heavenly realm, the final day of his visit. This day also marks the end of the water flinging. Day 5 is New Year (What Is Myanmar Water Festival or Thingyan? – Discovery Dmc Blog, 2024).

Burmese festival: Thingyan. (2024). Burmese-Buddhas.com. https://www.burmese-buddhas.com/blog/burmese-festival-thingyan/

What is the Myanmar Water Festival or Thingyan? – Discovery Dmc Blog. (2024, May 9). Discoverydmc.com. https://discoverydmc.com/blog/myanmar-travel-news-updates/what-is-myanmar-water-festival-or-thingyan/

Zaw, H. L. (2016, April 16). The Folklore Of Thingyan. MYANMORE. https://www.myanmore.com/2016/04/folklore-of-thingyan/