Mental Health & Aboriginal Communities

This assignment delves into the significant mental health challenges faced by Aboriginal people in Australia. It examines the unique cultural perspectives on mental well-being, explores the impact of historical trauma and ongoing social inequities, and analyzes the effectiveness of existing support systems. The analysis draws upon research findings and emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive and equitable approaches to address these complex issues.

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH CASE STUDY
MENTAL HEALTH CASE STUDY
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

1MENTAL HEALTH CASE STUDY
1. Describe how Justin’ s well-being might be impacted by his recent life events.
The case study reveals the fact that Justin had been suffering from type 2 diabetes. This chronic
disease has not only taken a toll on his physical conditions, but has also affected his mental
health.
People with mental illness had always been susceptible to a lot of mental turmoil. Justin
belonged to an aboriginal background and has already faced many problems due to his culturally
diverse background. He had faced school dropout, rejection in professional life. His background
along with a lot more causes had been responsible for his present condition. Justin has been
severely affected since the demise of his favorite uncle Reggie, who had always been his
inspiration. According to Larson et al.(2007) dissatisfaction, frustration, not being able to share
things with anyone can bring about depression and anxiety in adolescents. These entire factors
have developed a sense of disgrace, discontent in Justin about his life. Justin is always invaded
by the guilt that his family will suffer due to his condition and he could not find any meaning of
life.
2. How might Justin’s cultural interpretation of mental illness be different from your
own?
Aboriginal culture is mainly based on aboriginal spirituality is mainly generated from their
connectedness with the land (National Aboriginal Health Organization 2008). Their
religion is mainly totemistic and symbolical. Groups, communities, superstitions, rites and rituals
form important spheres of their life (Vicary and Westerman 2004). According to the aboriginal
belief mental illness is generally caused due to the effect of some bad omen or it affects those
who have done some wrong deeds in previous life and is generally a condition that cannot be

2MENTAL HEALTH CASE STUDY
cured (Williams and Mohammed 2009). Justin has confessed this at the time of 1:1 interaction.
Due to their superstition they never think of accepting the westernized model of care for treating
mental problems. On the other hand I belong to a Hindu family from Nepal where mental health
is considered as a serious issue which needs to be attended until situations turn worse (Kohrt and
Hruschka 2010). According to Nepalese belief, mental illness can be caused as a result of social
exclusion, social discrimination, racism, homesickness and probably due to limited job
opportunities and lack of financial support (Luitel et al.2013). Mental health might be
stigmatized in some communities but it has got nothing to do with bad omen and other
superstitions. Unlike the aboriginals our culture believes that proper psychotherapy and
medications can bring about moderate to higher rates of improvement.
3. Identify how you own attitudes and values relating to mental illness may influence any
communication with Justin?
I have already stated that my perception about mental health illness is quite different from
that of Justin as we don’t share the same cultural background. Hence, It is necessary that a
non-hostile environment is created between the client and the therapist. In order to deal with
patients coming from a linguistically and culturally different background, the key principle
that has to be followed is the acceptance to their culture (Mezuk et al.2010). In order to
practice a care regimen that is culturally safe it is important to build a positive mindset
towards their culture. It has to be remembered that a culturally safe practice is important to
enhance the personal empowerment. It is important to listen and believe their culture
carefully in order to help get rid of the fear of rejection. If Justin cannot share openly, his

3MENTAL HEALTH CASE STUDY
treatment will remain incomplete forever. As stated by Jorm et al.2012 (2012) gestures of
avoidance from health care workers can create a sense of discontent among the aboriginal
mental patient and decrease the rate of reliance on the western mode of treatment. As a nurse
administrator I have tried to maintain a balance between professionalism and inter-personal
relationship with the client (Williams and Mohammed 2009). I wish that that such an act
would have increased Justin's trust on me as his caregiver. As a nurse I have always strived
on providing physical as well as spiritual support to a patient, as I have always believed that
well being of a patient is integrated to physical, mental and spiritual care.
4. How can partnerships with Justin and his immediate and extended family be
developed and maintained throughout his journey of care?
Collaborative care approach by involving the families of a mentally disturbed patient can be used
to heal the severity of mental problems. It has to be remembered that most of the aboriginals are
community centered and care should be taken, that no such procedures in the treatment plan
loosen Justin's tie with his culture and ethnicity (Hansson et al.2012). The aboriginal people had
long been practicing traditional way of healing diseases; therefore his cultural ties should be
maintained throughout his treatment. Justin's attachment with his family will impose a positive
therapeutic effect.
Justin’s family can be helpful in preparing discharge plans for Justin and bringing him back to
the normal pace of life from the darkness of mental illness.
While communicating with the families, it is necessary to maintain the cultural safety practice
such that it becomes easier for them to understand the ways and the means of Justin’s treatment.

4MENTAL HEALTH CASE STUDY
Furthermore it will also help Justin to understand his own problem which can be considered as
the initial step towards self care management (Parkar 2010).
5. What are the social and cultural implications for Justin leaving his home and
community for assessment and treatment in the city?
The aboriginal background of Justin comes with a lot of implications. The ill effects of racism
are still prevalent in the society even in these years of progressiveness. Due to their negative
experiences of the past related to racism and western culture, they sometimes cannot fully rely on
the westernized concept of medical treatment (Larson et al.2010). Again as mentioned earlier
that community norms always played an important part in the life of aboriginals. Therefore the
community might not find the involvement of western clinical practice in a positive way. The
case study reveals that Justin shares a strong bonding with her mother. Her mother's wants her
son to recover soon, for that she is also ready to cooperate with the mental health clinic. She is
also a bit stigmatized by the culture and hence fears that taking Justin to a city for the treatment
might break the cultural bonds (Knifton 2012). In spite of all these facts, Justin and his mother
could accept the westernized treatment plan by untying the cultural stigma and taboos (Brody
and Galvin 2013). It is evident from the case study that Justin could fade away her stigmatized
cultural concept and could actually accept the westernized concept of treatment and respond to
the treatment plan set for him.
6. What needs to happen to ensure culturally safe care for Justin once he is hospitalized?
Justin's culturally different background had already taken a toll in his life and had impacted his
school life, professional life and social life. Justin. Justin has encountered racist behaviors for
school which led to his school dropout. Lack of proper education has again affected his

5MENTAL HEALTH CASE STUDY
professional life as he could not achieve enough academic degrees to enroll for a quality job.
Above all he has become the victim of type 2 diabetes and several other comorbities. In order to
provide Justin with a comprehensive care, it is necessary to maintain a conducing environment in
the mental health clinic (Lee et al.2014). A nurse should be able to understand the perception of
Justine and would help him to develop the trust for the westernized type of care. A non -hostile
environment can help Justine to respond and adhere to the necessary medicines. Patients with
cognitive behavioral problems should be tried with talk therapy, which required through
interrogation and interaction with the patient (Brody and Galvin 2013). It is necessary for the
nurse to create an interpersonal relationship with the patient in such that Justin can be a part of
the therapy and can interact freely with the caregiver (Hanson et al.2012). It is evident from the
assessment report that Justin wished to be attended by a male nurse. Complying with his wishes
by appointing a male nurse and providing culturally safe meals can also be an important part of
the treatment plan.
7. From the information in the Mental Health Assessment and Mental State Examination,
what are the identified areas of concern and the priorities of care planning for Justin?
Some of the most common issue associated with mental illness is depression, anxiety and the
thought of self destruction. Justin finds his life meaningless and sometimes develops suicidal
thoughts. According to McGough (2015) depression, anxiety, lack of purpose in life can lead to
self destruction among depressed individuals like Justin. In order to deviate his suicidal thoughts
Justin should be imparted with the thought that the issues that he is facing is just a regular one
and he can easily recover from it by adhering to proper medications and adopting a healthy life
style. Justin needs to be provided with some psychotherapies as well as recreational therapies.
Recreational therapies would help to distract Justin’s mind from self destructive thoughts

6MENTAL HEALTH CASE STUDY
(Pitman et al.2012). After Justin has responded to these therapies he can be provided with some
complementary therapies like meditation or yoga. Furthermore as seen from the case study,
Justin's depression had worsened after the death of his beloved uncle Reggie and it seems that
Justin still requires some counseling to recover from his grief. One thing should be carefully
noted that since Justin had already tasted the bitterness of racism, every possibility that can make
Justin fell discriminated should be irradiated.
8. Read the 1:1 intervention notes and identify the communication skills/strategies that
are allowing the health professional to talk with Justin in a culturally safe manner.
Culturally safe practice can be achieved by the adoption of following ways-
 A therapeutic relationship can be established between the client and
the healthcare professional. The purpose of a therapeutic relationship
can assist an individual to change his life for the better (Van Brakel 2006).
A therapeutic relationship with the nurse would help Justin to share his
intimate thoughts, emotions and beliefs. It is important to create a non
-judgmental atmosphere and show empathy and kindness to the
patient (Brody and Galvin 2013). A proper therapeutic relationship with
Justin would help to speed up the recovery process by providing a
complete understanding over the matter.
 A patient like Justin should be countered with open ended questions.
An open ended question allows a patient to give vague answers or
opening up in front of the therapists rather than answering by simple
'yes' or 'no (Hannson et al.2012)'. Open ended question helps an
individual to share things about his own life and gives an idea about

7MENTAL HEALTH CASE STUDY
their ways of thinking (McGough 2015). Open ended question would help
Justin to share the stories of his life and would not confine his
grievances into himself.
 In order to communicate with patients coming from a different
linguistically different background it is necessary for the therapist to
construct short and easy questions, for the easy understandability of
the patients (Van Brakel 2006). The caregiver must have asked short
simple questions to Justin, such that Justin does not cringe out of fear
or faces difficulties in choosing words to answer the questions.
9. Review the discharge plan and 3-month review and consider how Justin can be
supported to maintain his well-being when he has returned to his family and
community.
It is evident from the three months plan that Justin has been showing improvement to the care plan.
The 3rd week review of the Justin's plan provides with the information that Justin is now eager to go
to home, to see his families, to greet his loved ones, families and friends (Mezuk et al.2010).
Although Justin had been discharged for the institution but he should be kept under continuous
surveillance for some times. His parents are advised to keep a close watch and avoid the events that
may trigger depression and anxiety in Justin. A continuous support and love from the closed ones
can actually encourage Justin to start a new life afresh (Lee et al.2014). The discharge plan set
for Justin involved daily exercises and healthy diets, to manage his physical ailments. The discharge
plan also emphasizes on the fact that Justin needed enough rest and needs to stick to the medications.
Furthermore, Justin is encouraged to move on in his life and dream of a better life. Justin can assist a
traditional healer and cater his life to the wellbeing of others or he could continue with his previous

8MENTAL HEALTH CASE STUDY
job. A patient like Justin requires a regular follow up in order to keep his diabetes and mental health
manageable.
10. After considering the issues for Justin, reflect on your own experiences of relating to
people from different cultures. Consider what you have learned from Justin's story
and how your new knowledge might influence your practice
I have come across many patients in my professional practice, but the case of Justin would
always hold a significant position in my professional career, as I have gained knowledge regarding
several things that would help me in my future practice. Since, it was a culturally sensitive issue, I
have gained immense patience have learned acceptance towards new culture or religion. I have
understood that it is not always essential to ask for logical reasoning for all the rituals and the taboos
they follow.
I have learned that being nonthreatening to a person can help in building trust between the
patient and the caregiver. I have learned that a caregiver should not practice any biasness towards
their patients as racism is one of the biggest curses of the society. I have learned to embrace non-
judgmental practice of care and have also gained efficiency in conducing talk therapy sessions. I
have seen how the collaborative approach of Justin’s family has been successful in improving Justin's
quality of life.

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