Mental health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia during COVID-19
Date
2021
Authors
Dudgeon, Pat
Alexi, Joanna
Derry, Kate
Brideson, Tom
Calma, Tom
Darwin, Leilani
Gray, Paul
Hirvonen, Tanja
McPhee, Rob
Milroy, Helen
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Publisher
Australian Council of Social Services
Abstract
In May 2020, an independent working party was convened to determine the mental health and well-being needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, in response to COVID-19. Thirty Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and allies worked together in a two-month virtual collaboration process. Here, we provide the working party's five key recommendations and highlight the evidence supporting these proposals. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination and governance must be prioritised to manage the COVID-19 recovery in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. To mitigate long-term social and economic impacts of COVID-19 to Australian society, the historical underinvestment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must be reconciled. Equitable, needs-based funding is required to support strengths-based, place-based initiatives that address the determinants of health. This includes workforce and infrastructure development and effective evaluation. There is a clear, informed pathway to health and healing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander being enacted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and community organisations; it remains to be seen how these recommendations will be implemented.
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Keywords
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, COVID-19, Indigenous, mental health, self-determination, social and emotional well- being
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Source
Australian Journal of Social Issues
Type
Journal article
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Restricted until
2099-12-31