Multicultural Health Week 2026 brought communities across New South Wales together to highlight the connection between physical activity and mental wellbeing, encouraging people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to make movement part of their everyday lives. Held from 31 August to 6 September, the annual initiative also marked 17 years of leadership and coordination by the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service (MHCS).
This year’s theme, “Improving our mental health and wellbeing through physical activity”, focused on practical ways people can incorporate movement into their daily routines to support their mental health. The campaign aimed to encourage meaningful conversations about mental wellbeing and promote accessible health information across multicultural communities.
The week was officially launched on 31 August at the State Library of NSW in Sydney. The event was attended by NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park and Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson, alongside more than 250 guests representing government, healthcare, education, multicultural organisations and community media.
Other attendees included NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM, Chief Cancer Officer and Cancer Institute NSW chief executive Tracey O’Brien, and Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant AO PSM. Together with representatives from multicultural community organisations, high schools, multicultural health services and media outlets, they supported the campaign’s focus on equitable health outcomes.
A key part of the campaign was communicating how everyday physical activity can contribute to mental wellbeing. A promotional video, subtitled in seven languages including English, followed individuals and families through their daily routines, demonstrating how ordinary activities involving movement can become part of a healthier lifestyle.
Young people also played a significant role in Multicultural Health Week 2026 by sharing personal experiences and perspectives on mental health. Through a partnership with the Prevention Education and Research Unit (PERU) at Western Sydney Local Health District, almost 120 stories were submitted, providing young people with an opportunity to express their experiences and encourage others to prioritise their wellbeing.
Community members from across NSW also contributed their stories, helping broaden conversations about mental health within culturally diverse communities. The initiative sought to create opportunities for people to learn from one another and help reduce the stigma that can sometimes prevent individuals from seeking support.
Local health districts marked the week with activities in hospitals and communities throughout the state. These events provided health information and created opportunities for healthcare workers to engage directly with patients, families and community members about mental health and wellbeing.
Although the official week has concluded, the campaign’s educational resources remain available throughout the year. MHCS has made factsheets available in 41 languages, alongside multilingual videos designed to improve understanding of mental health, reduce stigma and encourage positive changes in everyday behaviour.
Healthcare professionals working with multicultural communities can also access resources and tools intended to support culturally responsive care and improve patient outcomes. These materials provide information to help professionals communicate more effectively with people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
The 2026 initiative reinforced the importance of making mental health information accessible to communities across NSW. By combining multilingual resources, community participation, youth storytelling and local health activities, Multicultural Health Week aimed to encourage ongoing conversations about wellbeing beyond the annual event.
The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service acknowledged the individuals, organisations and community partners who contributed to this year’s campaign. Their participation supported the broader effort to improve health information access and promote the wellbeing of multicultural communities across the state.
