Background:
Racism is a fundamental social determinant of mental health, yet its particular impacts on Black, African and other culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities are poorly represented in research and policy. This integrative systematic review synthesises peer-reviewed and grey literature from Australian studies to examine how racism affects mental health and to identify culturally grounded protective factors that support wellbeing and recovery.

Methods
Using a PICO-informed inclusion framework, searches of major databases and quality appraisal procedures were applied to qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies. Thematic synthesis integrated findings across designs. Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria.

Results
Preliminary findings suggest experiences of racism were repeatedly associated with anxiety, depression, trauma responses, psychological distress and lowered help-seeking. Protective factors that mitigated these harms included strong cultural identity and pride, community connection and mutual aid, spirituality and faith practices, anti-racism community initiatives, and access to culturally responsive and trauma-informed services. Importantly, studies explicitly centring Black and African Australian experiences were scarce, revealing a critical evidence gap that undermines visibility in policy and practice.

Conclusions
We argue that meaningful mental health equity requires targeted data disaggregation, community-led research and service models that are identity-affirming and trauma-responsive. While broader CALD-focused strategies offer partial solutions, culturally specific responses are essential. Implications include policy actions to operationalise anti-racism within national multicultural health frameworks and investment in culturally safe and community-governed pathways to care and recovery.


Three Key Learnings
1. Delegates will be able to describe the preliminary empirical links between racism and mental health outcomes for Black/African-Australians and recognise the critical evidence gap for this group.
2. Delegates will be able to identify culturally grounded protective factors that mitigate racism-related harm, such as strong cultural identity, community connection and mutual aid, spirituality, and access to trauma-informed culturally responsive services.
3. Delegates will be able to apply three actionable strategies for policy, research and service design: disaggregating data by race/ethnicity, investing in community-led co-design and governance, and implementing trauma-responsive and identity-affirming models of care.