Discrimination stops with you

Subtle or 'casual' racism can be just as harmful as more obvious forms. Imagine not getting a job because of the way you look. How would you feel if you were watched in a shop or someone didn’t want to sit next to you on the bus? 

Beyond Blue's Invisible Discriminator campaign highlights the impact of racism on the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations Peoples.

This campaign encourages everyone in Australia to do something about his or her behaviour. You can change this today.

Educate yourself about racism

Racial discrimination damages mental health. Over half of First Nations Peoples who experience racial discrimination report feelings of psychological distress, meaning they can go on to develop anxiety and depression.

Find out more

Why the campaign?

Research has shown that when First Nations Peoples experience racism it impacts their mental health, putting them at greater risk of developing depression and anxiety substance use and attempted suicide.

Just over one third of First Nations Peoples aged 15 years and over felt that they had been treated unfairly at least once in the previous 12 months, because they were of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin1, while detailed local-area research has found that up to four out of five Indigenous people regularly experience racism.2

Here is why the campaign is so important:

  • First Nations Peoples are nearly three times more likely to be psychologically distressed than other Australians and twice as likely to die by suicide3
  • There is a ‘dose’ effect: the risk of high or very high levels of psychological distress increases as the volume of racism increases4

Create change at work

Mentally healthy workplaces work better for everyone, and a mentally healthy workplace is one where is everyone is able to contribute without fear of discrimination or abuse.

Create change at school

Education is essential to ensuring our kids understand and respect everyone. There are many ways teachers and parents can get your school involved, tailored specifically for your school.

Respond to racism

If you witness racial discrimination, there are a number of things you can do to intervene. There are some great resources to educate and arm you with strategies you need to stand up to racism.
Get support

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who has experienced racism, talking to someone about your experiences can help you stay strong. If you're going through a tough time or are concerned about someone close to you, the Beyond Blue Support Service can help. We've also developed a range of resources to support social and emotional wellbeing.

1. For a full list of references for the statistics on this page, and any others across the website, please visit the references page and search through the relevant category.