Diploma of Mental Health: Community Health Report Analysis

This report, prepared for a Diploma of Mental Health program, examines the complex mental health challenges faced by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, specifically focusing on the Murri community in Queensland. It begins by outlining the cultural practices, laws, and kinship systems of the Torres Strait Islander people, emphasizing their connection to the land and the impacts of European settlement, including the stolen generation and loss of land and culture. The report then analyzes the political and historical factors, such as racism, discrimination, and past governmental policies, that have contributed to social and economic issues within the community, leading to health disparities and common diseases like cardiovascular issues and mental illnesses. Furthermore, the report explores biases when working with the community, interaction strategies, and critical issues impacting relationships and communication. It suggests methods to address these impacts, including Western systems and structures, and identifies a service or program to improve cultural safety. Finally, the report outlines evaluation methods, strategies for involving indigenous people, and the process of receiving feedback to modify and improve the plan's outcomes.

Diploma of Mental Health

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Project TASK 1................................................................................................................................1
Torres Strait Community............................................................................................................1
Cultural Practices of Group.........................................................................................................1
Importance of law.......................................................................................................................1
Importance of Kinship................................................................................................................2
Impacts of European settlement..................................................................................................2
Impacts of Political factors.........................................................................................................2
Impacts of historical factors........................................................................................................3
Social issues to the community...................................................................................................3
Economical issues faced by the people.......................................................................................3
Impacts of discrimination and other wrongful............................................................................4
Factors that contribute in their ill-health.....................................................................................4
Common diseases experienced by the community.....................................................................4
Project TASK 2................................................................................................................................4
Biases when working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.............................4
Interaction with community........................................................................................................5
Critical issues impacting the relationship and communication with the community..................5
Ability to work inclusively and with appropriate understanding of the community..................5
Ways to ensure cultural awareness of various concepts of Aboriginal and Tortes Strait
Islander people............................................................................................................................6
Ways to demonstrate cultural competency.................................................................................6
Project TASK 3................................................................................................................................6
Methods of addressing the various impacts on the selected community....................................6
Western systems and structures prevalent in the area of practices.............................................7
Impact of the western systems and structures of community people..........................................7
Key objectives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people recognition act, 2013........8
Legislation suggested for cultural safety of Indigenous people. ................................................8
Example of past and present power relations..............................................................................8

Impact of trauma on a person's ability........................................................................................8
Project TASK 4................................................................................................................................9
Service or program selected for the community people..............................................................9
Identification of an organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people....................9
Ways of effective partnership with the organisation for implementing the service.................10
Resources used for promotion of partnership between staff and community...........................10
Examples of resources..............................................................................................................10
Planing and documentation of three ways to support implementation of cultural safety service.
...................................................................................................................................................10
Planning and documentation of three ways to encourage the participation of community
people in the cultural safety program........................................................................................11
Project TASK 5..............................................................................................................................11
Three outcomes that will be measured......................................................................................11
Time of review and measuring outcomes.................................................................................11
Methods used for measuring the outcomes...............................................................................11
Two strategies of involving indigenous people in evaluation...................................................12
Members in evaluation..............................................................................................................12
Project TASK 6..............................................................................................................................12
Liaised people for evaluation of the plan and proposed outcomes...........................................12
Report on the feedback received from the review process.......................................................12
Modifications in the plan based on the evaluation....................................................................12
Evidence of interaction with the approved relevant local community elders...........................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
"To be healthy as a whole, mental wellness plays a major role". It is fundamental right of
each and every person to receive equal health opportunities but the scenario is something
different. It is required for all the countries to ensure respect for cultural and social differences in
the stipulation of health and education services (Blake & et. al.,2016). There are various issues
that are faced by some indigenous group. In the present report, the impacts of various challenges
on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be studied. The aim after this study is to
provide cultural safety to the community by appropriate nursing practices. In order to achieve the
above mentioned goal, it is segmented into various activities. These tasks involves understanding
the issues faced by the people of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people, planning effective
services to help the community and measuring the effectiveness of the service using different
parameters.
Project TASK 1
Torres Strait Community.
The area of practice selected for the project on cultural safety of the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people is Queensland. The group for which this work is undertaken is the
Murri community. This indigenous assemblage is living in the country from past 40,000 years.
Cultural Practices of Group.
According to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, there are three worlds
namely, sacred, humans and physical. The sacred world is the place from where the law of
existence came and for survival it is necessary to observe these regulations. The physical world
that is the land is the life and it owns all the people (Gould, Bittoun & Clarke, 2017). According
to their beliefs on the human world, 'they are the indigenous people of Australia and the lands lie
on the mainlands. mainly islands. The cultural practices involves the laws, ceremonies and
dances. Also, country is their identity and their language includes pride, self-esteem and respect.
Importance of law.
There are various laws that are imposed by the government of the Australia for the
upliftment of the community. These regulations allowed them to ensure equal opportunities of
the education in the country. The group has received numerous benefits with the implication of
these laws such as cultural safety, equal employment, growth opportunities, etc. Further, it
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helped the group in rendering an exposure to the outer world for their development Hunter, K. &
et. al., (2016
Importance of Kinship.
Kinship for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander group is the system of law
governing the social interaction. The significance of this is to develop respect for elders and
affection for younger (Clough & et. al, 2017). It is further important to maintain their culture and
religion. In addition to this, if this factor will not be followed then it will directly impact upon
their language.
Impacts of European settlement.
The European agreement comes with a lot of troubles for the indigenous people. The
most severe among them involves the stolen generation and loss of land & culture.
Stolen generation: After the invasion took place, the new government has dispossessed the
Aboriginal people by selling and leasing their property. This dispossession influenced a lot of
people to either change their identity or to leave the place. This situation thus leads to a heavy
decrement in the population of the community. Further, the use of firepower in the war has killed
a number of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' (Day, Nakata, and Miller, 2016).
Loss of land and culture: The government has occupied the land of the indigenous people and
used it for renting and leasing. Further, the agricultural land was also taken unlawfully that
creates a major loss to the community and forced them to leave the place. This migration had
highly affected the culture.
Impacts of Political factors.
An extreme level of racism and discrimination is observed by the indigenous community.
The biggest example is their exclusion from the elite and mainstream power structures. Further,
from 1909 to 1969, the governmental policy of removing children of the Aboriginals and Torres
Strait Islander families leads to the high proportions of psychological, physical and sexual
abuses. Following this, so many other actions took place there such as substance consumption,
traumatic stress, suicides and depression (Carey & et .al., 2017). Also, between year 2000 to
2009, the incarceration rate for the indigenous Australian increased by 66%.
Impacts of historical factors.
The historical and cultural factors have numerous adverse effects on the Aboriginal and
Torres strait islander people. Some major among them are as follows:
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 Around 20,000 Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander people died in the battles at the
hands of colonisers.
 They were forcefully removed from their parents under the government laws.
 They were restricted to enter several areas without taking permission.
 The laws and rights are the equal and thus, they did not received the same opportunities
as other non-indigenous groups (Wright & et. al., 2016).
 They were prohibited to enter towns after 6:00 P.M.
Social issues to the community.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience severe level of racism and
discrimination at every platform in the Australia. It has been found that the health, education,
employment, life expectancy, social attitudes of other non-indigenous people is way higher that
that of the indigenous group. Out of them, negative social attitudes is the major challenge faced
buy them (Gwynne & et. al., 2016). Further, the chances of education provided to them are not
much which impacts their employment and better life. The minimal health opportunities has
caused so many issues to them such as chronic diseases, low quality life, high death rate, etc.
Their disengagement from the healthy activities resulted in high level of depression, anxiety and
other mental illnesses.
Economical issues faced by the people.
The history of the economical condition of the Aboriginals is observed to face several
issues. Firstly, the European settlement has caused severe financial losses. Major among them is
that the land of community people which government sold and leased for own profit. Further, the
agricultural land-pieces which were ruined in the settlement (Graham & et. al., 2017). They also
faced huge loss of money in the battle against the colonisers. In addition to this, the lack of
proper education and employment opportunities is the main reason behind their present
economical condition. The racism and discrimination existing at each level of upliftment is the
major obstacle for them.
Impacts of discrimination and other wrongful.
Racism and discriminations are the factors that made numerous indigenous people
deprived of the appropriate employment, education, health services, empowerment, etc.
Consequent to these issues, the community people have reduced and limited access to the needed
health services (Dudgeon, Calma, Brideson, & Holland, 2016). Their restrictions in the exposure
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to the outer world has influenced them to be deprived of getting good education and deserving
employments.
Factors that contribute in their ill-health.
The Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people are facing so many health issues. There
are various reasons behind their ill-health. The health opportunities experienced by them are
negligible. Further, the quality of the services are observed to be ineffective. The major reason
behind this situation is the ignorance of government (Couzos, Delaney-Thiele, & Page, 2016).
Further, the discrimination at each platform causes mental stress to them which may convert to
depression, anxiety and other medical issues.
Common diseases experienced by the community.
Common diseases that are observed by the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people
are some types of Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as coronary heart diseases, stroke, heart
failure, high blood pressure, mental illness, depression, anxiety, traumas, etc. The diseases that
are brought by the European invasion includes bronchitises, measles, scarlet fever, etc. Further,.
the health of females of the community is highly affected as compared to the other non-
indigenous females.(Couzos & Thiele, 2016). Further, their death rate at the time of delivery is
also higher than the other population of Australia.
Project TASK 2
Biases when working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
As per my opinion, while working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
it provided me different feeling. These people were having more culture and most of the people
do visit the country due to this reason. Moreover, it provides the in-depth knowledge and
understanding about their community (Carey & et. al., 2017). It has been observed that they face
2 times higher gynaecological cancer than the other non-indig. Along with this, it will provide
the communication and engagement strategies that will help to relate my work with aboriginal
people. It is like the open and trust relationship that has helped me in understanding the cultural
perspectives and will make me aware about the effective practice techniques. After working with
them, I am able to gain more understanding about the history of the community.
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Interaction with community.
After interaction with the community, I found that these people are in more culturally
appropriate manner. They have changed the way my cultural background and values were. They
acknowledge, actively listen, respect and respond to the needs of the communities requirement.
When I was there I found that their major decision are taken by elders and everyone respect
them. Community is having strong relationship which influenced me greatly and they have
sensitive-service-development and delivery. They follow all the protocols and methods for
completing the business (Calma, Dudgeon, & Bray, 2017). Complete ethics, values codes are
used for the cultural activity which has increased my interest in the community.
Critical issues impacting the relationship and communication with the community.
As I belong from the other community, so language is the greatest issue faced by me in
terms of health and safety. Moreover, the cultural followed by these people they require great
assistance in terms of the better health services. Along with this, these people live near the ocean
so there are chances that their health get affected so proper team for the assistance is required.
Additionally, communication is the only way through which relationship can be increased, for
which there is requirement of more people to get interacted but these people are shy in nature
which increases the difficulties.
Ability to work inclusively and with appropriate understanding of the community.
As I am highly influenced by the cultural aspect of these people and some of community
member have become my friends so with their assistance and help I can complete my work in
more favourable and peaceful manner. Further, I require more fluidity and flexibility around
approach related to time and training so that no conflicts can rise. Along with this there is
requirement of extensive exploratory-promotion, intimacy, and communication equipment with
key members of community.
Ways to ensure cultural awareness of various concepts of Aboriginal and Tortes Strait Islander
people.
Different ways by which cultural awareness of various concepts of these people are
mentioned below:
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 There can be more youth leaders from the age 13-25 which can provide assistance in the
health services and maintaining the cultural of the society. Moreover, more indigenous
volunteers can assist in maintaining the culturally sensitive issues. It can completed
through the conducting camps. Additionally, comprehensive needs analysis should be
unique so that individual needs can be completed (Calma, Dudgeon & Bray, 2017).
Ways to demonstrate cultural competency.
In order to maintain the ethics and principle, and to demonstrate the cultural-competency
there is requirement of commitment to the expended understanding about the various dimension
of culture. Moreover, it should be promoted through various activities, encouragements and
support of the other community groups. There is need of respect and understanding among the
cultural and diversity of these people. I should be more proactive and should provide more
recreational activities to the communities.
Project TASK 3
Methods of addressing the various impacts on the selected community.
The Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people are affected by so many impacts either
they be social, political, economical and physical. Numerous factors have been identified and are
required to be resolved. Below are some methods to address the various impacts on the
indigenous people: Health Services: It has been observed that the indigenous people are facing so many
health challenges which is decreasing the quality of their life. They do not receive the
appropriate services which causes higher death rate in the community. If effective health
services will be provided to them then it will enhance the life expectancy, lower death
rate, etc. Further, they will be able to understand the value of personal care. Communication: The major hurdle for them in gaining the understanding of the various
beneficial government programs for them is the communication gap. It has been found
that many aboriginals and Torres strait islander people do not speak English as their first
language, which deprives them of getting the information prior to the community
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(Andersen, Edwards, & Wolfe, 2017). Thus, it is necessary to design an appropriate
method of communication with them so that the issues faced by them can be identified.
 Educational Program: The Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people are mainly
affected due to lack of knowledge of their fundamental rights. It is necessary to make
them aware of all the laws and legislations in favour of their health services, education
opportunities and employments so that they can avail them. Thus, this method is helpful
in addressing so many issue faced by the community.
Western systems and structures prevalent in the area of practices.
Aboriginal people have some strong family value which they consider and follow strictly.
The family system has extended family structure they are against the nuclear family structure
which at present is in trend in western society. Therefore, their culture and structure is
understood and endorsed by the government so it is essential for employees to develop
understanding related to their structure at the time of working with Aboriginal people. There are
some Torres strait and Islander people face problem in accessing culturally appropriate treatment
options (Graham & et. al. 2017). Therefore, they are permitted for access the western services at
the time when traditional approach have been washed-out.
Impact of the western systems and structures of community people.
There is a great impact of the western system and structure on both Torres strait and islander and
aboriginal people. They started continuously following western system and forget their own
culture. People started consuming alcohol and they change their lifestyle as per according to
white people. Due to this reason they forget their own culture and their children started following
new culture.
Key objectives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people recognition act, 2013.
The main objective of this act is to provide recognition of Aboriginal and Torres strait
Islander people. The aim of this law is to respect the culture, language and heritage of the
community along with a continuing relationship of indigenous people with the traditional land
and waters.
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Legislation suggested for cultural safety of Indigenous people.
For protecting the aboriginal and Torres strait Islander cultural and heritage is Aboriginal
cultural heritage act 2003 and Torres Islander cultural Heritage act 2003. This both act contain
the duty of care. Further, according to this act it is reminded that both Torres strait and islander
and aboriginal are known as the primary guardian of their cultural. Further one of the main
objective of this act is to provide an effective recognition , conversation to Aboriginal people.
Further aboriginal people started continuously facing difficult choice related to their lives and
they are unable to follow their old tradition (Hunter & et. al., 2016).
Example of past and present power relations
Earlier, at the time of British invasion, the Aboriginals and Torres strait islander were
facing several issues such as dispossession, land disputes, removal of children from their
families, etc. These issues influenced the community people to resist the seizure of their lands
which resulted in high level of violence between them. Around 10,000 people were killed in that
invasion.
The effect of colonisation in present context can be observed from the racism and
discrimination in the health services, education, employment opportunities of the Aboriginals
and Torres strait islander people.
Impact of trauma on a person's ability.
Decision making:- The decision making power of this traditional Australian community capacity
is compels. As a legal construction in liberal democracies that particularly means that the people
of there intellectuality, disability or their mental illness are require to take care by other
Australians. A meaning of the mental capacity is based on there specific conditions which affects
to there decision making power. there are so many embracing conditions which is faced by the
community that affect their decision making usually on their personal , health & financial issues.
Communication:- They faces trauma regarding the language of this community. This
community which is based on the sustaining nature. They have some protocols regarding their
traditions, culture & the intellectuality properties. they faces the complication on the languages
there custom & culture are far different as they portrayed (in images, text & their circumstances
related to communication which affect their education system to their children & there young
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generations. Thus a result they known as a ingenuous community are this is the main trauma that
became reason of the mental illness.
Understanding:- This community is facing the trauma on the basis of their understanding level.
This trauma is affect the aboriginal family as generation by generation with the devastating
effects. They are more likely to engage in the behaviour of self-destructive, life style are
converting to their diseases which remain or impact in their criminal injustice system, poor
physical health, mental illness, self harm & suicide.
Retaining Information:- The cycle of trauma is faces by this traditional community their
indigenous children can occur as bearing as a witness to their trauma experiences & the members
of this community faces the issues of colonisation, removals that are forced, child abuse &
family violence & neglect & the substance as a misuse, rape, massacre, dispossession. of there
abilities that they originally experienced.
Project TASK 4
Service or program selected for the community people.
In order to render the cultural safety of to the community people, a campaign is chosen
and which is "Suicide prevention". The health services that is selected to help the community
people is to strengthen their mental well-being so that many diseases can be resolved such as
depression, anxiety, etc. It has been decided that the people will be rendered with effective and
significant health knowledge so that they can aim on personal care (Carey & et. al.,2017).
Identification of an organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Implementation of the plan will require an organisation which will assists in achieving
the setted objectives. The organisation selected for this purpose is Healing Foundation. The cited
entity is working for the betterment of aboriginals to address the ongoing trauma caused by
actions like the forced removal of children from their families.
Ways of effective partnership with the organisation for implementing the service.
For creating an effective partnership it is necessary to well communicate with the staff of
the organisation so that they can be aware of the setted objective and work can be proceed in
appropriate direction. In addition to this, it is required that the staff should have a good
understanding of the relevant activity so that effective results can be gained.
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