Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing

In this course, Professor Pat Dudgeon, Poche Centre of Indigenous Health, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia, begins by outlining the grim statistics that describe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage with respect to mainstream culture and the consequent repercussions for health on all levels. A new paradigm in psychology and wellbeing – one that includes other cultures – is needed. Dudgeon explains the development of definitions and models of Indigenous mental health and “SEWB” (social and emotional wellbeing) and discusses important policy documents that symbolise and capture the key changes. She cites the Australian Psychological Society’s 2016 apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as evidence that needed changes are happening.