Addressing Inequities in Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing through Transformative and Decolonising Research and Practice

Pat Dudgeon,Roz Walker,Maddie Boe

doi:10.22158/rhs.v5n3p48

Abstract

Aim: This paper discusses the current mental health and social and emotional wellbeing in Indigenous Australian mental health and wellbeing, the gaps in research, the need for transformative and decolonising research and practice, and the opportunities and recommendations to address existing mental health inequities. Method: This paper reviews key mental health and social and wellbeing policy documents and frameworks, and examines relevant literature documenting current decolonising strategies to improve programs, services and practice. It also draws on the key findings of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) and Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing research projects. In addition this work builds on the substantial work of the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP) which outlines a range of solutions to reduce the causes, prevalence, and impact of Indigenous suicide by identifying, translating, and promoting the adoption of evidenced based best practice in Indigenous specific suicide prevention activities. Discussion and Conclusion: This paper details the challenges as well as the promise and potential of engaging in transformative and decolonising research and practice to address the existing health service inequities. Acknowledging and addressing these health inequities is an urgent and critical task given the current COVID-19 pandemic and potential for further increasing the adverse mental health and wellbeing gap for Indigenous Australians.

Highlights

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience a disproportionate burden of health and mental health issues and suicide
Substantial progress has occurred in the past decade within the Indigenous mental health and suicide prevention field
Recent studies reveal an over-representation of Indigenous people experiencing psychological distress, depression and trauma, which mainstream mental health service models, and clinical paradigms have been unable to address adequately

Summary

Introduction

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereon respectfully referred to as Indigenous) peoples experience a disproportionate burden of health and mental health issues and suicide. Indigenous rates of death by suicide were double the rate of the non-Indigenous population in 2018 (Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2019a). The ABSs’ National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS), 2018-19 reported that: One in four Indigenous people have a mental or behavioural condition. Anxiety was the most common mental or behavioural condition experienced by Indigenous people, reported by just under one in five (17%) respondents (ABS, 2019b). The Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC) reported that: Depression (including feelings of depression) was the second most common condition experienced by Indigenous people, reported by about one in eight (13%) respondents. A study by Adams et al (2014) to improve understandings of mental health service patterns among

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