Investigators
Prof Helen Milroy, Dr Alix Woolard, Prof Ashleigh Lin, Tamara Lipscombe, Dr Louise Delane, Prof Pat Dudgeon, Dr Marshall Watson, Prof Sean Hood, Prof Mat Coleman, Prof Michael Small, Dr Shraddha Kashyap and Dr Jemma Collova
Project description
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have thrived in Australia for over 60,000 years. Kinship structures ensured that each person was supported, and created an environment where wellbeing flourished. This was especially true for young people. However, the impact of colonisation, genocide, and continuing discriminatory policies have created a context for ongoing disadvantage, trauma, and high rates of mental health issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. One reason for a gap in mental health outcomes compared with non-Indigenous Australians, is that our mental health systems do not operate in a culturally safe and appropriate way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
This project specifically focuses on understanding the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (aged 0-18 years) and their families when engaging with mainstream mental health services across the Perth metropolitan area, in order to generate feasible and evidence-based approaches to improving cultural safety within the mental health system.
For more information, please contact Tamara Lipscombe (Tamara.Lipscombe@telethonkids.org.au) or Louise Delane (louise.delane@telethonkids.org.au)
Funders of the project
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)