1. Addressing Aboriginal mental health issues on the Tiwi Islands
- Author
-
Carol Beaver, Robert Parker, Jude Nicholas Van Konkelenberg, and Glenn Norris
- Subjects
Rural Population ,Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander ,Process (engineering) ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Power (social and political) ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Nursing ,Medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Empowerment ,media_common ,Service (business) ,Patient Care Team ,Psychiatry ,Health Services Needs and Demand ,business.industry ,Corporate governance ,Mental Disorders ,Australia ,Public relations ,Mental health ,Health Surveys ,Community Mental Health Services ,030227 psychiatry ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Change agent ,Leadership ,Power, Psychological ,business ,Relevant information ,Delivery of Health Care ,Forecasting - Abstract
Objective: This paper provides an overview of the services developed in response to the unique mental health needs of a remote Aboriginal community. We describe an evolving service on the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory and the challenges that need to be addressed if the community is to continue to take a leading role in dealing with mental health issues. Conclusions: The Tiwi Mental Health Service demonstrates that community members are able to identify needs and respond accordingly if they are provided with the relevant information and supported in their decision-making process. The establishment of social governance mechanisms and the long-term commitment by a change agent to facilitate the empowerment process are important keys to success. The main challenge in establishing services in rural Aboriginal communities is to identify and support community strengths, including leaders and cultural practices.
- Published
- 2007