Systematic Review: Primary Healthcare and Indigenous Mental Health

This systematic review examines the impact and accessibility of primary mental health services on the psychological health status of the Indigenous population in Australia. The study, conducted by a nursing student, analyzed ten articles from CINAHL and PubMed, published within the last decade, using keywords such as "primary care," "mental health," "Australia," and "indigenous population." The review highlights significant disparities in mental healthcare access, revealing that the Indigenous population experiences disadvantages due to poor healthcare design, a lack of trained mental healthcare nurses, and culturally incompetent healthcare plans. The findings emphasize the need for improved healthcare services and increased access to address the mental health challenges faced by Indigenous Australians. The report discusses the methodology, including the use of PRISMA flow diagrams, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a detailed literature review of relevant studies. The results consistently show that, despite government efforts, Indigenous Australians face significant health inequalities and limited access to primary mental healthcare services, underscoring the need for comprehensive and culturally sensitive healthcare approaches to improve mental health outcomes.