Abstract
Colonisation in Australia has had a devastating and lasting impact on the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia (herein referred to as Indigenous Australians). This paper discusses the role of psychology in Australia and the negative impact that certain disciplinary theories and practices have had on Indigenous Australians. The impact has been further exacerbated by the failure of mainstream policy makers and mental health practitioners to recognise the key, distinctive cultural and social determinants that contribute to Aboriginal health and wellbeing. There is a growing response by Aboriginal psychologists, critical social theorists, and their allies to decolonise psychological theory and practice to redress this situation. This paper outlines key decolonising strategies that have been effective in interrupting those aspects of psychology that are inimical to Aboriginal wellbeing.
Highlights
Colonisation in Australia has had a devastating and lasting impact on the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia
The various discourses discussed in this paper suggest that social transformation and decolonisation depend on both a strategic essentialism (Spivak, 1990) and strategic hybridity (Bhabha, 1990) that allow the individual to claim their distinctive cultural elements and to assert, negotiate, and situate their evolving identity in contemporary society without being assimilated by the dominant culture
We provided an overview of the broad domains of social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) and outlined the implications for practice
Summary
Colonisation in Australia has had a devastating and lasting impact on the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia ( referred to as Indigenous Australians). To decolonise psychology in Australia, the discipline/profession needs to recognise and incorporate Indigenous Australian cultural views and practices into mental health services, professional practice, and research.
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