refer to attached file

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health program

https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-mental-health-program?language=en

Explain an Indigenous-led program and why it is an important initiative for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health program funds Primary Health Networks (PNPs), independent organisations contracted to provide healthcare services to Australians at risk of unfavourable health outcomes. The organisations are often community healthcare providers run by Aboriginal communities. The Australian government has adopted measures to close the healthcare outcomes gap between the Indigenous population and the dominant non-Indigenous communities (Fisher et al., 2019). This program highlights the government's commitment to closing this gap. According to the program goals, mental health accounts for ten per cent of the gap between the groups, highlighting the program's importance. The PNPs(Is this the right abbreviation or is it meant to be PHN?) tailor their mental healthcare services to reflect the individual needs of their communities. These organisations engage with local leaders and communities to ensure that their services respect the cultures of the local population and fully meet their needs. This is crucial because healthcare researchers recommend that providers consider their patients' context, such as their history and biophysical risks, to increase the provider-patient relationship and improve health outcomes (Abbott et al., 2018). (Summarise this so it’s less wordy and be straight to the point)

The Indigenous people in Australia have endured a long history of trauma, grief, and loss due to colonial practices such as massacres, dispossession of traditional lands, forced eradication of traditional cultural practices, destruction of governance forms and community organisations, and more. (Tiwari & Stephens, 2020). Therefore, this program is crucial as it helps Indigenous people tackle the generational trauma inflicted by decades of colonisation. The program aims to provide quality and culturally appropriate services to Indigenous people when needed and whenever they are. (Incomplete sentence?) In addition, it includes preventive measures such as early detection (early detection of what?) and mental health awareness on issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, suicides and more to local communities. The program is part of the Australian's government Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan which aims to improve mental healthcare in the country.

How is the program specifically tailored to meet the needs of Indigenous peoples?

As discussed above, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have complex issues that need tailored approaches. The program funds independent health networks and engages with local communities to improve Indigenous people's access to quality mental healthcare. These independent organisations understand the cultural and social contexts in which Indigenous Australians live and the unique health needs of these populations. This enables them to provide culturally appropriate high-quality services. This is crucial as it recognises and acknowledges that Indigenous Australians have distinct histories and practices that define their identities. Therefore, using Indigenous-led PNPs ensures that local cultural framework, values, and beliefs inform the services. The PNPs understand Indigenous Australians' unique cultural and linguistic beliefs and practices and tailor their services to ensure they are accessible and culturally safe.

The program also engages local communities and leaders to ensure they tailor the services to specific populations in their unique circumstances. This is crucial because different Indigenous communities have different needs; therefore, a one-fit-all approach cannot adequately address them. The program acknowledges the social determinants that disproportionately impact Indigenous Australians and helps address underlying causes of mental health issues such as poverty and inequality (Dudgeon et al., 2021). This includes providing additional support to the populations, such as transport to and from healthcare facilities. The program is sustainable as it empowers Indigenous Australians to access other crucial services, such as education and social welfare. This addresses the root causes of problems facing Indigenous Australians, i., e lack of access to quality healthcare, education and more. The PNPs refer the local populations to the appropriate health and social services, such as drug and alcohol and suicide prevention services.

In what way is this program improving the lives and health outcomes of Indigenous peoples?

The program has a significant positive impact on Indigenous people's lives and health outcomes. As mentioned above, the program funds local independent health organisations and primary health networks led by Indigenous people who understand their community's needs. This helps Indigenous Australians better access culturally appropriate mental health services and improves their health outcomes. Indigenous Australians have been marginalised for decades and often face several barriers, such as a lack of knowledge, resources, and remote locations, which limit their access to quality healthcare (Abbott et al., 2018). Therefore, this program has helped improve health outcomes among Indigenous communities by increasing access to culturally appropriate mental health services and raising awareness about mental health.

Mental health issues significantly impact individuals' lives and limit their progression as it increases their risk of suicide and self-harm. The impact is far more significant in marginalised groups like Indigenous populations, which often lack access to empowering opportunities like employment and education. According to (Leckning et al., 2023), self-harm and suicide rates among Aboriginal communities are more than twice those of the general Australian population. This demonstrates that poor access to quality and appropriate mental health services negatively affects Indigenous people's lives. This program improves the health outcomes of Indigenous populations by providing culturally sensitive approaches which reduce the risk of unwanted outcomes such as suicides and self-harm. The program has a widespread domino effect on Indigenous populations. The PNPs use culturally competent health professionals who help create stronger connections between Indigenous people and health services. This helps undo the mistrust between Indigenous communities and government institutions. This encourages Indigenous people to utilise government programs such as health and social services to improve their quality of life and health outcomes.

Personal reflection- How has this learning activity changed your understanding of Indigenous people's health and well-being?

This learning activity has expanded my knowledge of Indigenous people's health and well-being and made me realise the need to tailor health services to Indigenous people to suit their needs. Before this activity, I knew Australian colonial history but did not realise the trauma Indigenous people suffered from colonisation. I thought colonisation happened decades ago, people had moved on, and Australian societies were equal and fair. The program has made me realise that Indigenous Australians require tailored mental health services informed by their culture, identity, and history. This is crucial as these communities have several complex issues due to years of marginalisation, requiring special programs to improve their health and well-being.

In addition, this activity has reminded me of the importance of addressing the underlying factors contributing to societal issues. This includes poverty, lack of access to quality affordable housing, education, and employment opportunities. These issues often cause and reinforce Indigenous communities' mental health issues and tackling them will significantly improve their health and well-being. This will involve adopting a comprehensive and holistic approach to empower Indigenous people socially, economically, and politically.

This activity taught me the importance of sustained investment in Indigenous-led initiatives. Indigenous people likely know their lives, communities, and problems better than external researchers or policymakers. Their input will greatly inform any policy or program implemented to help Indigenous communities. Therefore, they should be given the opportunity to speak up an contribute to all programs and policies implemented in their communities. I now know that the best way to support Indigenous people is to empower and collaborate with them to ensure they control their healthcare decisions. There is a need for pragmatic policies to address the power imbalances that marginalise Indigenous people in Australia (Backholer et al., 2021).

Abbott, P., Belfrage, M., Chang, A., Coleman, J., Couzos, S., Fitzpatrick, J., ... & Pedruzzi, R. (2018). National guide to a preventive health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Backholer, K., Baum, F., Finlay, S. M., Friel, S., Giles-Corti, B., Jones, A., ... & Demaio, S. (2021). Australia in 2030: what is our path to health for all?. Medical Journal of Australia, 214, S5-S40.

Dudgeon, P., Alexi, J., Derry, K., Brideson, T., Calma, T., Darwin, L., ... & Sutherland, S. (2021). Mental health and well‐being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia during COVID‐19. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 56(4), 485-502.

Fisher, M., Battams, S., Mcdermott, D., Baum, F., & Macdougall, C. (2019). How the social determinants of Indigenous health became policy reality for Australia's National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan. Journal of Social Policy, 48(1), 169-189.

Leckning, B., Borschmann, R., Guthridge, S., Silburn, S. R., Hirvonen, T., & Robinson, G. W. (2023). Suicides in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people following hospital admission for suicidal ideation and self-harm: A retrospective cohort data linkage study from the Northern Territory. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 57(3), 391-400.

Tiwari, R., & Stephens, J. R. (2020). Trauma and healing at Western Australia’s former native missions. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 16(3), 248-258.

Katarina Josipovic - 22038013