Investigators: Ashleigh Lin, Shakara Liddelow-Hunt, Yael Perry, Bep Uink, Braden Hill (ECU)
Walkern Katatdjin (Rainbow Knowledge) is a research project that aims to understand and promote the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people, and work with services to develop appropriate interventions.
For more information please see the website or contact Shakara Liddelow-Hunt on (08) 6319 1062 or Rainbow.Knowledge@telethonkids.org.au
There is very little locally-specific guidance available for services on how best to support a young person who is both Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and identifies as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or other (LGBTQ+). This means that young people (14-25 years) who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and LGBTQ+ may not receive the same level of health care as other members of the community.
Young people who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and LGBTQ+ may be at increased risk of poor social emotional wellbeing and increased mental health difficulties, but there is very little research currently. This is an opportunity for researchers to talk to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and LGBTQ+ young people to:
- understand their mental health needs and social emotional wellbeing and
- work with local health services to develop interventions that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and LGBTQ+ young people say will support them.
The project consists of three phases: 1) interviews and yarning groups 2) national survey 3) co-design.
You can read the findings of our Phase 1 interviews and yarning groups in the Walkern Katatdjin Phase 1 Community report here.
External collaborators: Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, Wungening Aboriginal Corporation, Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation
Funder: NHMRC