Chapter 14: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Issues
Why is it important to consider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) culture in relation to mental health?
What are some additional factors that affect the mental health of ATSI people?
What are the barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders accessing available mental health services?
What mental health services are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders?
Why is it important to consider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) culture in relation to mental health?
Available data indicates that Indigenous peoples experience a higher rate of mental illness than the rest of the Australian community. Furthermore, Indigenous Australians have the lowest rate of access to available mental health services.
What are some additional factors that affect the mental health of ATSI people?
There are many factors that contribute adversely to the mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strart Islanders. For more than two centuries Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have had to contend with the consequences of dispossession of their land and culture. Furthermore they have been subjected to discriminatory practices that have resulted in them being denied a valued place in Australian society. The feelings associated with these practices pervade the lives of the vast majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, in varying degrees. Furthermore, Westernapproaches to mental health are not well-equipped to support and understand the consequences of dispossession and denial of culture, which results in a serious lack of appropriate service provision.
- The many physical health problems of people in ATSI communities impact on their mental health. People with some form of physicial impairment or disability for instance are likely to also experience a range of adverse mental health outcomes that can be attributed directly or indirectly to their physical impairment. This is often because they are not able to participate in community life in the same way as other community members because of the nature of their impairment or chronic illness.
- There are strong links between Indigenous mental health problems and homelessness; the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) Inquiry highlighted the link between social disadvantage, substance abuse and high rates of imprisonment of Indigenous peoples.The likelihood of an individual developing a mental health illness is pronounced where a history of childhood separation from biological parents, neglect or institutionalisation exists.
- As stated in the Burdekin Report (1993; 693) 'Aboriginal people are subjected to blatant and subtle racism, and inevitably this racism is internalised and people feel bad about themselves and each other.
- One of the most significant reasons for substance abuse in Indigenous communities is an attempt by people to self-medicate. Because the mental health needs of Indigenous people are not being adequately met they often turn to various substances in an attempt to mask their mental health needs or distract themselves from the suffering that is associated with their mental illness.
What are the barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders accessing available mental health services?
- Geographic isolation; a lack of culturally appropriate services; a lack of Indigenous staff within non-Indigenous services; limited training of mental health services staff regarding Indigenous issues; stigma; and stereotyping all contribute to this community's limited use of current mental health services.
- When Indigenous people do access mental health services, their needs are often not met. The present state of mental health services does not sufficiently recognise or adapt programs to Aboriginal culture, causing a large gap between service provider and user.
- Dual diagnosis issues: A significant number of Indigneous Australians may experience a dual diagnosis of addiction and mental illness. Many Aboriginal and
What mental health services are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders?
Indigenous Disability Advocacy ServiceThe Indigenous Disability Advocacy Service provides advocacy support to Aboriginal people with disability, their families and carers living in NSW. The service will provide advocacy assistance for Indigenous people with disability and their associates in any area of their life where they may be experiencing discrimination or unfair treatment.
Ph: 9687 7688 or 1300 114 237
Email: joanne.scott@sracls.org
Aboriginal Disability Network NSW
The Aboriginal Disability Network NSW (ADN) brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability (including people experiencing mental illness) to tell their stories, share their experiences and provide each other with support. The ADN is not currently funded to provide advocacy support however they will refer people onto appropriate advocacy services.
Phone: 1800 422 015
Email: adnnsw@pwd.org.au
Beyond Blue
beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia. Beyondblue does this using a range of strategies including awarness raising and by providing information. Beyondblue is a non-Indigenous organisation that is not a mental health service provider however they can provide referral for Indigenous people who experience depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders.
Phone: 1300 22 4636
References:
Burdekin, B., Guilfoyle, M. & Hall, D. (1993). Human rights & mental illness - Report of the national inquiry into the human rights of people with mental illness. Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.
MHCC, Fact Sheet 5, entitled 'Mental Health Issues and Culture', accessible at: www.mhcc.org.au (see: 'Factsheets')