Shokrollah Abbasi arrived from Afghanistan a little more than two years ago.

"Refugees have left their families and can suffer from depression and mental health problems and unfortunately they don't know how to resolve this problem or get help," he said.

"We need to look at how we can fix this serious issue. Some don't know how to explain their issues to doctors and some of them are afraid of doctors."

Three Rivers UDRH senior principal research fellow Professor Deborah Warr said for some time people from refugee backgrounds have been resettling in Wagga and other regional towns across Australia.

"The legacy of past experiences and the challenges of resettlement, however, continues to impact on people's health and wellbeing," she said.

"This includes experiences leading up to enforced migration and post-settlement challenges of learning a new language, securing housing and employment, cultural isolation, and navigating unfamiliar and complex social and health service systems."

Professor Warr said they wanted to work with the community to explore what the issues are as they look past the initial two years since arriving.

Felix Machiridza, the lead functional family therapist at RivMed, said he has spent years treating new arrivals and recognised some key issues.

"One of the main ones is language," he said. "Most people who come here without the command of the English language find it very challenging and they sometimes have to use their children as interpreters."

Mr Machiridza said refugees are used to fending for themselves.

"Some of them are also used to natural medicines and some are used to different health systems," he said.

Mr Machiridza said on a day-to-day basis there are people in Wagga who are so hospitable, who help new arrivals in different ways.

Hakimeh Rahimi said she knows all too well the difficulties of facing a language barrier.

After taking her uncle to the doctor, a translator incorrectly said his arm was disconnected from the shoulder sending the family into a panic until another doctor reassured them. Ms Rahimi also hopes to educate the community on her Islam.

"Their religion is theirs and mine is mine," she said. "I hope to open their mind."

Riverina TAFE, Charles Sturt University, Three Rivers University Department of Rural Health, the Multicultural Council, Murrumbidgee PHN and the University of Notre Dame will be working together on the project.