— First Nations People and the Lived Experience Workforce
About
Studies into Indigenous Australian mental health show a disparity in mental health outcomes and access to services between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Although ACCHS employ the majority of Indigenous mental health workers, they need more clinically qualified Indigenous staff (NACCHO 2019), as does the mainstream mental health workforce. The efficacy of mental health services for Indigenous Australians can be improved at a systemic level if mainstream services form partnerships with Indigenous communities and ACCHS.
This review discusses:
- the importance of expanding and strengthening the Indigenous Australians’ mental health workforce, and the Indigenous leadership of this workforce, for improving mental health outcomes for Indigenous Australians
- what the evidence says about how to increase the limited Indigenous mental health workforce (and leadership), including how educational, as well as workforce programs might help fill this gap
- how mainstream mental health services can work with Indigenous-led services to improve mental health and prevent suicide among the Indigenous Australian population, including examples of successful collaborations
- strategies to improve cultural safety to adequately meet the mental health needs of Indigenous Australians
About
The NSW Government is investing $21 million to expand the Aboriginal mental health and suicide prevention workforce as part of $131 million mental health recovery package.
The funding will allow every Local Health District and Specialty Network to employ Aboriginal Care Navigators and Aboriginal Peer Workers.
Aboriginal Mental Health Care Navigators will be responsible for supporting Aboriginal people and their families to connect with the most appropriate service within and outside the local health district. They would also provide ongoing support and contact with these individuals and families.
Aboriginal Mental Health Peer Workers will be embedded within public mental health services and responsible for providing culturally sensitive support, particularly in emergency settings. They would also link them to other supports, such as suicide prevention services, drug and alcohol services, and Aboriginal community services.