Analysis of Mental Health Programs for Aboriginal People in Melbourne

This report provides an overview of the mental health challenges faced by the Aboriginal population in Melbourne, Australia, highlighting the impact of colonization, cultural loss, and systemic discrimination. It examines the prevalence of mental illness, including self-harm and suicidal tendencies, and identifies contributing factors such as trans-generational trauma, lack of social support, and substance abuse. The report analyzes the Bagung ba Wadamba program, an initiative aimed at improving the mental wellness of Aboriginal women through Wayapa Wuurrk, an indigenous wellness practice. It discusses the program's limitations and suggests incorporating familial support and collaborative approaches to enhance its effectiveness and better address the complex mental health needs of the community. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for comprehensive, community-based interventions to promote healing and resilience within Melbourne's Aboriginal population.

The north western part of Melbourne is occupied
by aboriginal people of Australia. They have rich
cultural heritage. Due to colonization the number
of aboriginal people have decreased drastically
(Das et al. 2018). While earlier Victoria alone
housed more than 20,000 aboriginals, it is now
down to 10,000. Colonization and subsequent
systematic segregation has led to cultural loss
and loss of identity which has led to extensive
mental health issues among the population.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
• Melbourne is one of the cities that house a
significant number of aboriginal population.
• About 27.66% of the aboriginal population in
Victoria reside here (Community and
population health profiles - North Western
Melbourne Primary Health Network, 2020).
• Aboriginal people are 3 times more likely to
show signs of mental illness like self-harm or
suicidal tendencies.
• The cultural loss that they suffered during
and post colonization, the discrimination,
stigma and stereotyping, lack of social and
governmental support and increased drug
and alcohol abuse are all reasons for their
ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRAM
CONCLUSIONS
Mental health of the aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Melbourne
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INTRODUCTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM
• Bagung ba Wadamba is a program conducted by
Relationships Victoria, aimed at improving the
wellness of the aboriginal people of Victoria
(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support |
Relationships Australia Victoria 2020).
• It is largely believed that aboriginal peoples’ health
are determined by their kinship, social support,
connection to nature, land and cultural identity.
• The program that was conducted in Melbourne in
order to improve the mental health of the aboriginal
population was for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait
Islander women in the community correctional
orders and aimed to teach them Wayapa Wuurrk, an
aboriginal wellness practice.
• The practice improves mindfulness thus ensuring
that the participants are able to connect deeply
with nature which improves mental health through
natural healing. It builds strength and resilience,
healing from trans/inter-generational trauma and
provides support to them.
• The program that was conducted in Melbourne
was mainly focused on women in the correctional
cases. Despite the initiatives, mental illness
among the aboriginal population, mainly women
persists which leads to hereditary transformation
of mental health issues (Shmerling et al. 2019).
• A collaborative program for men women and
kids, where they would be able to feel like a true
community, helping each other up, collaborating
with others might lead to better outcome.
Incorporating familial support and participation
might also be helpful.
• Aboriginals of Melbourne are susceptible to
mental illness due to trans-generational
trauma and loss of culture.
• Bagung ba Wadamba aims to improve the
mental health condition of the aboriginal
women in correctional care through Wayapa
Wuurrk, an aboriginal wellness practice.
• The current program should also include
family participation and collaborative
approach to improve mental health of the
population.
REFERENCES
• Das, M., Kini, R., Garg, G. and Parker, R., 2018. Australian aboriginal and torres strait islanders' mental health issues: A litany of
social causation. Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry, 34(4), p.328.
• North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network. 2020. Community And Population Health Profiles - North Western Melbourne
Primary Health Network. [online] Available at: <https://nwmphn.org.au/our-community/community-and-population-health-profiles/>
[Accessed 4 April 2020].
• Relationshipsvictoria.com.au. 2020. Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Support | Relationships Australia Victoria. [online] Available
at: <https://www.relationshipsvictoria.com.au/services/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-support/> [Accessed 4 April 2020].
• Shmerling, E., Creati, M., Belfrage, M. and Hedges, S., 2019. The health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in
out‐of‐home care. Journal of paediatrics and child health.