Hearing the silence: supporting the mental health of bilingual children in Australia

Areba Sadiq is a Melbourne-based psychologist who is interested in working with young people to overcome numerous challenges presenting during the adolescent stage

SBS Urdu

View Podcast Series

Get the SBS Audio app

Other ways to listen

When a child speaks Urdu — or any other language — at home but lives in an English-speaking world outside, a unique inner conflict can emerge. Their emotions, thoughts, and sense of identity may begin to feel divided. Sometimes, they may feel as though they don’t fully belong anywhere—not entirely like their parents, and not completely part of the Australian environment. In such cases, psychotherapy can play a vital role in helping them navigate these challenges.

LISTEN TO

urdu_12052025_bilingual children therapy image

اردو بولنے والے آسٹریلوی بچوں کی خاموشی سنیں — ذہنی صحت کی ضرورت پر ایک نظر

SBS Urdu

12/05/202507:45

Speaking to SBS Urdu, Melbourne-based therapist Areeba Sadiq said that if we want our children to grow up confident, happy, and resilient, we must pay attention to their emotions—no matter what language they are expressed in.

Psychotherapy offers a valuable path forward, especially for children who are trying to become a beautiful bridge between two worlds.

______________

Listen Wednesday or Friday program

SBS Urdu is on

and

Our

app is available for Apple and Android devices.