Statement by Leonie Young CEO of beyondblue in response to the Apology by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
"I would like to register support for the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's decision to say sorry to the stolen generations and to all Indigenous Australians. This is an important step to addressing mental health in our indigenous community, providing an opportunity to show our respect and provide hope in moving forward together with courage and pride.
This formal apology extends the pathway for strengthening our partnershis in tackling depression and anxiety; to working together to build the social and emotional wellbeing of our indigenous communities and all Australians. Together opening our eyes to depression across Australia".
beyondblue's Indigenous Programs
beyondblue recognises that much needs to be done to fully address depression, anxiety and related drug and alcohol problems in Indigenous communities. Over time and across Australia, generations of Indigenous people have experienced trauma, grief and loss. Depression rates are often high and this is exacerbated by ongoing social determinants of health, particularly in rural areas.
This is a priority area for beyondblue and a range of information, education and support strategies has been developed and will continue to be developed in consultation with communities and Indigenous organisations
Find out more about beyondblue's Indigenous Program activities in these areas:
- People and Partnerships
beyondblue Programs
- Resources and Information
- Education and Training
- Community Awareness
- Research
- Indigenous Youth Programs
People and Partnerships
beyondblue values health partnerships that develop and deliver effective messages on depression to the diversity of Indigenous people across Australia. Key people and partner organisations include:
- Ms Pat Anderson, Chairperson Co-operative Research Centre Aboriginal Health and former beyondblue Board Director
- Associate Professor Helen Milroy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Centre for Aboriginal and Dental Health, University of Western Australia and member of the beyondblue Clinical Reference Council
- Ms Nova Peris, Patron of the beyondblue Perinatal Mental Health Program
- Mr Adam Goodes, Sydney Swans footballer
- CRCAH Co-operative Research Centre Aboriginal Health (formerly the CRC for Aboriginal and Tropical Health)
- AIDA Australian Indigenous Doctors Association
- CDU Charles Darwin University
- MSHR Menzies School of Health Research
- RANZCP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Committee
- OATSIH Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
- DHCS (NT) Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services
- CRRAH Centre for Rural and Remote Area Health, Queensland
- CRRMH Centre for Rural and Remote Health NSW
- NACCHO National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and State affiliates
beyondblue Programs
Working Both Ways
beyondblue supported the Northern Territory Aboriginal Mental Health Worker Program 'Working Both Ways', a primary care and mental health approach providing care to people by linking general practitioners with locally-based Aboriginal Mental Health Workers.
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Ngaripirliga'ajirri
Ngaripirliga'ajirri is an early intervention for children and parents on the Tiwi Islands supported by beyondblue, the Co-operative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health, the Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services and the Australian Government's Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FACSIA) .
Download Report
Resources and Information
Artwork by Indigenous artist Darren Cooper will be used for a range of information resources in development for Indigenous communities - particularly for young people. The resources aim to provide positive messages that focus on self respect and respect for others and will contain practical information on where people can go to seek help for themselves, friends and family members.
Help when you're feeling down
Lifeline's Information Service - Rural Mental Health Information Service and the Shoalhaven Aboriginal Safety Promotion Program have developed an Aboriginal-specific information leaflet on depression, available online or by phoning 1300 131 114
Education and Training
beyondblue / RANZCP Indigenous Website Project
With funding from beyondblue the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrist (RANZCP) developed a website to provide mental health professionals with information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health issues aiming to improve life outcomes. The website is managed by RANCP and is accessible to all mental health professionals as well as members of the general public. It is an interactive and flexible website with reading materials and includes seven training modules that cover a range of mental heath issues across the lifespan and they address various fields of practice. Visit the website here.
Community Awareness
NAIDOC Week
beyondblue joined in the 50th anniversary celebrations of NAIDOC. Visit the beyondblue NAIDOC Week page for more information.
Research
beyondblue Victorian Centre of Excellence Research Project
Development of depression first aid standards for Indigenous Australians
The aim of the project is to develop standards for mental health first aid appropriate for Indigenous Australians. Further information about Indigenous mental health first aid can be found on the Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid Program site
Indigenous mental health guidelines
The Mental Health First Aid Guidelines for Indigenous people have been developed by the Orygen Youth Health Research Centre with funding from beyondblue. They have been developed using the Delphi method, which is a systematic way of assessing the consensus of a panel of experts. The guidelines consist of first aid actions that have been rated as important or essential by an expert panels of professionals, consumers and carers.
A Scoping Study of Depression among Indigenous people
A Scoping Study was conducted in partnership with the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet to identify the information and types of help and innovative programs available.
Indigenous Youth Programs
Croc Festivals
Since 2003 beyondblue has supported Croc Festivals each year to ensure that young Indigenous people are getting effective education and information on depression, anxiety and substance misuse. beyondblue also funds ARAB (Anti Racism Action Band), Raw Metal and the Indigenous Hip Hop Projects to deliver dance and performance workshops at the festivals to promote youth messages of look, listen, talk and seek help together. CrocFest Website
Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP) Kempsey Pilot Project
beyondblue is supporting a week-long pilot project in November 2007 where the ever-popular IHHP team will return to Kempsey (one of the Croc Festival sites for 2007) and conduct Hip Hop workshops in partnership with the Durri Aboriginal Medical Service, Kempsey Shire Council and local communities. The project will culminate in a showcase event at the week's end that will demonstrate to community the talents of their young people. The showcase event will be supported and judged by Indigenous tennis champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
This pilot project is designed to build on Croc Festival work by returning to community, linking with health services and reinforcing key messages.
Read more about beyondblue's youth programs
Australian Red Cross Save-A-Mate Our Way
beyondblue supported the Australian Red Cross to pilot a mental health version of the Save-A-Mate (SAM) program called SAM Our Way in four communities in Northern Queensland. The communities of Lockhart River, Pormpuraaw (Cape York), Palm Island and Woorabinda (Central Queensland) have received the program and the outcomes have been very positive.
The program engages young people through a camp and uses a yarn style to build trusting relationships which then leads to specific training on:
- building the resilience and skills of young people to support themselves and each other
- mental health issues
- alcohol and other drug issues
- youth leadership
- peer skills.
The young people participating helped to develop community resources such as canvas paintings that carry messages, healing dilly bags and message boomerangs. beyondblue and the Australian Red Cross are planning to further develop this program to roll it out across Australia. Red Cross
A picture of one of the canvases produced by participants in a SAM Our Way camp in Northern Queensland
