Currently submitted to: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Aug 14, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Aug 14, 2026 - Oct 9, 2026
(currently open for review)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Developing a Culturally Responsive Mental Health Support Model for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Carers of Children with Chronic and Complex Health Needs: Protocol for an Experience-Based Co-Design Study
ABSTRACT
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) carers of children with chronic and complex health needs experience substantial caregiving demands alongside migration-related, linguistic, and systemic barriers that increase their risk of poor mental health. Existing mental health and carer support services in Australia are often underutilised by CALD carers because they do not adequately address cultural, linguistic, and contextual needs. Culturally adapted interventions show promise, yet few have been co-designed directly with CALD carers or developed with implementation, rather than efficacy alone in mind. This protocol outlines the co-design of a culturally responsive mental health support model for CALD carers of children with chronic and complex health needs, generating a prototype for future pilot studies. This qualitative participatory study is informed by Community-Based Participatory Research, Experience-Based Co-Design principles, and implementation science. Conducted over 12 months in Victoria, Australia, in partnership with multicultural community organisations and guided by a Multicultural Community Advisory Panel (MCAP), the study comprises six iterative phases: community engagement and governance; qualitative interviews with approximately 10–15 CALD carers; rapid thematic synthesis; three co-design workshops involving carers and key stakeholders; prototype refinement through community feedback; and preparation of an implementation-ready support model. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews, workshops, field notes, demographic questionnaires, and MCAP feedback and analysed via reflexive thematic analysis. Trustworthiness will be enhanced through triangulation, reflexivity, audit trails, and ongoing community governance. Ethical approval has been obtained from the La Trobe University Human Research Ethics Committee (HEC25572). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, community partner reports, and engagement activities. The study will produce an implementation-ready co-designed mental health support model for CALD carers, informing service redesign and future pilot implementation.
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