Authors: Mick Adams
Year: 2015
Event: 2015 TheMHS Summer Forum
Subject: Aboriginal mental health, indigenous mental health, torres strait island mental health, suicide, social
Type of resource: Audio
Abstract: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have been disadvantaged and marginalised since colonisation. This contrasts with the much healthier lifestyle experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples before the British settled in Australia. This talk will focus on mental health and in particular men’s mental health. Mental health is defined and perceived differently by the dominant white society and its professionals from the way in which it is identified and dealt with by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Lack of accommodation by the dominant culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ culture and customs, and especially their ongoing history of trauma and disadvantage, in dealing with mental illness is an ongoing issue. Suicide being seen by health care professionals as a mental health issue, rather than it being seen as having its roots in issues of social disadvantage, is a critical concern. Mick will bring together the wider issues and will draw specific attention to men issues in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Mick Adams is Adjunct Professor with the Faculty of Health at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Director of Fineline Consultancy Pty Lt.
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