Aboriginal children in Wagga are more than twice as likely to be at high risk of mental health issues than others in NSW, a new study has revealed.
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RivMed (the Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation) and researchers Sax Institute have released key findings from the Study of Environment on Aboriginal Resilience and Child Health.
The study, known as SEARCH, is the largest and longest of its type in Australia and examines the health of Aboriginal children living in urban environments.
The research showed that Aboriginal children from Wagga participating in the SEARCH study were almost twice as likely – 26 per cent versus 15 per cent – to meet criteria for high risk of emotional or behavioural problems compared to other young people in NSW.
Wagga participants in the SEARCH were also more likely than the national average to use tertiary hospital mental health care and had the highest rates of hospital use of mental health care of any of the four sites used in the study.
In response to the study, RivMed and the Sax Institute hosted a forum with key local mental health leaders to discuss ways to improve mental health services for Aboriginal children and youth.
Darren Carr, the chief executive of RivMed, said mental health was heavily affected by social factors.
“There’s high rates of all sorts of concerns with Aboriginal kids. There’s high rates of domestic violence and family dysfunction and poorer health. This has a historical basis due to oppression,” Mr Carr said.
“We’ve come a long way as a community. We’ve done a lot to address this.
“There’s a lot more cultural acceptance and acknowledgement of Aboriginal culture and Aboriginal people, but we’ve still got a long way to go.
“There are historical hurts that are going to take a while to heal.”
Mr Carr said the research highlighted the need for additional services.
“What this research really highlights is the need to have more services, more mental health services in the community and in primary health care and general practice settings for Aboriginal; kids and Aboriginal young people,” he said.
“They need to be specific. These mental health services need to be specific to Aboriginal kids and be specific to Aboriginal young people.
“Cultural appropriateness and cultural competence of staff is really important.
“With adequate, culturally appropriate, mental health services provided in the community we can care for these kids properly out in the community before they become so distressed and prevent them from needing hospital-based care”.
“This research highlights the importance of continuing to work on improving access to mental health services for Aboriginal people. Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network is committed to partnering with RivMed and the Local Health District to identify appropriate local solutions.” MPHN’s acting CEO Julie Redway said.