A Response to the Australian psychological society discussion paper on suicide

Abstract

This response to the Australian Psychological Society's discussion paper on suicide reinforces the call for ongoing and appropriate psychological involvement with Indigenous Australians. It concurs with the observation that that the opportunities for involvement are many, but recommends that all must be considered within historical and contemporary contexts. Additionally, the sensitive nature of suicide for many Indigenous people and communities highlights the priority of establishing good working relationships as a precursor to research, clinical, and preventative involvement. Dilemmas likely to confront those considering involvement are described and the importance of psychologist self‐care within such involvement is highlighted and strategies considered. In conclusion, it is acknowledged that while involvement and even interest in suicide may vary amongst psychologists, a reading of the APS discussion paper on suicide provides a solid reference and good starting point for informing that involvement, particularly in relation to Indigenous youth suicide.

Engaging Australian Aboriginal youth in mental health services

“…Research indicates that not only are Aboriginal youth less likely than their NA counterparts to engage in mental health services, they are also likely to engage at a more chronic level, and do so for shorter periods of time (McKendrick, Cutter, Mackenzie, & Chui, 1992;Vicary & Andrews, 2001). A number of research papers has attempted to provide explanations for this (Dudgeon, 2000;Garvey, 2000;McKendrick et al, 1990). Primarily the basis of these explanations has been the cultural inappropriateness of existing services, or the failure of mental health services and clinicians to embrace Aboriginal conceptualisations of health and wellbeing (Dudgeon, 2000).…”

“…Research studies on Aboriginal groups in Australia and internationally continue to illustrate the negative impact of colonialisation on their mental health (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2009;Blum, Harmon, Harris, Bergeisen, & Resnick, 1992;Radford et al, 1991). Despite this, a number of recent articles have argued that Aboriginal people do not access mental health services at a level that is commensurate with this need (AIHW, 2009;Garvey, 2000;Hunter, 2007;Vicary & Andrews, 2001).…”

Public Policy, Participation and the Third Position: The Implication of Engaging Communities on their Own Terms

“…These policies are generally not seen as being part of the forced removal policies as the 'children's welfare is primary', but Aboriginal children are still removed at a rate over six times more than nonAboriginal children -23.7 per 1,000 for Aboriginal children in 'out of home care' versus 3.6 per 1,000 for nonAboriginal children (Kim 2005). The policy ignores the broader issue of Aboriginal disadvantage, poverty and systemic government and societal oppression that leads to community breakdown (Garvey 2000a;Gordon 2002) and results in excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs, and physical and sexual abuse. Also underlying these policies are notions of 'whiteness' (Frankenberg 1993(Frankenberg , 2001 in which the majority takes for granted privileges denied to minority groups and allows for governmental neglect of sectors of the broader community and ''…the production and reproduction of dominance rather than subordination, normativity rather than marginality, and privilege rather than disadvantage'' (Frankenberg 1993, p. 236).…”

Establishing the United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the Minimum Standard for All Forensic Practice with Australian Indigenous Peoples

“…Indigenous peoples do not access and engage with health and rehabilitation services in the same way as non‐Indigenous Australians (Dudgeon, Grogan, Collard, & Pickett, ; Garvey, ; Westerman, ). This practice can undermine genuine compliance with forensic programming, and contextualises the importance of the Indigenous vouching system to gain programming compliance.…”