Discrimination and Health: Understanding the Impact of Antisemitism and Racism and Where to Find Support
Why Discrimination Affects Health, Not Just Daily Life
You experience discrimination not only as an unfair social issue but as something that affects health and wellbeing. Antisemitism and racism influence how safe you feel, how freely you move in workplaces, schools, shops, community events, and online spaces, and how connected you feel to others. When discrimination appears in your environment, it can reduce your sense of control, belonging, and stability—factors that strongly shape both mental and physical health.
How Ongoing Stress Affects Your Body and Mind
Your body responds to prejudice and exclusion as ongoing stress. When stress stays for too long, your nervous system remains on “high alert,” which affects sleep, mood, concentration, and energy levels. Many people notice anxiety, low mood, irritability, exhaustion, or feeling emotionally worn down. Over time, chronic stress links with physical health effects because it influences hormones, inflammation, immunity, and health habits such as eating, movement, and rest. People experience this differently, and the impact often depends on how frequent, severe, and personal the discrimination feels.
How Discrimination Interferes With Healthcare
Discrimination does not only occur in social spaces; it also influences how people engage with health services. If you expect judgement or unfair treatment, you may feel less willing to attend appointments, share personal information, or ask questions. This reduces trust and affects preventive care and early support. Respectful, culturally safe healthcare matters because it supports honesty, confidence, and earlier help when you need it.
Supportive Connections That Strengthen Wellbeing
Feeling seen, respected, and supported makes a genuine difference to health. Strong connection with family, friends, culture, faith, and community organisations supports resilience and belonging. Safe workplaces, inclusive schools, and respectful community spaces also help reduce isolation and protect dignity. These supports do not “fix” discrimination, but they strengthen your ability to cope and remind you that you are not alone.
Where Support Is Available in Australia
Your GP provides a private, non-judgemental place to talk about how discrimination affects your health. Together, you can explore emotional wellbeing, physical symptoms, and practical support. Your GP can also link you with psychologists, mental health supports, social services, and community resources. National supports include Beyond Blue, Head to Health, and Lifeline. Jewish organisations and multicultural community services across Australia also provide culturally safe advice, advocacy, counselling options, and help navigating local systems, which may feel especially meaningful if shared identity matters to you.
This article supports understanding and does not replace personalised medical advice. Please speak with your GP if discrimination affects your health or wellbeing, or if you want help finding safe support.