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To support local First Nations people to improve their mental health, CHN commissioned local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services to provide evidence-based, culturally sensitive mental health services to eligible First Nations people aged under 25 years.
Program achievements:
- 1,404 mental health encounters recorded in total by Winnunga Nimmityjah services and staff
- 1,146 mental health encounters provided by Psychiatrist/Psychologist
- 53 GP mental health care plans and follow up MBS claims
- 376 individual clients seen by Psychiatrists, Psychologists and GPs.
Due to increased demand from clients of Grand Pacific Health’s ITC Program, CHN secured extra funding to support access to mental health services. This funding was used to run a cultural healing program and to help pay for psychological, psychiatric and social work services. The ITC Program reports 54 unique instances of financially assisting clients to access psychologists, psychiatrists and other social health services.
The Cultural Healing Program delivered by GPH, titled Art for Healing, saw a group of community members come together to talk about their mental health and share their experiences while participating in traditional Aboriginal art activities. The group gathered regularly for 6 months and were supported and led by the Aboriginal Outreach Worker to ensure that discussions were held safely and respectfully.
Using a psychological distress assessment tool, 10% of participants reported major improvement and 50% reported moderate positive improvement to their mental health. Social and cultural connection through attending the group were specifically raised as important outcomes for these clients, and many requested the program be continued regularly so that they can maintain these significant improvements that they’ve noticed in their own wellbeing.
