Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) recognises the unique place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia and acknowledges their ongoing spiritual and cultural custodianship of their lands.

The RANZCP also recognises the right for all Australians to experience good mental health and seeks to redress the inequities in health experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through a variety of initiatives.

This page brings together resources to support the work of health professionals in improving knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health issues.

The Dance of Life 

The Dance of Life, developed by Professor Helen Milroy, is a multi-dimensional model which combines paintings, narrative, theory and existing evidence into a framework designed to assist practitioners in understanding health and wellbeing from an Aboriginal perspective.

Health professionals working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities should take a holistic approach to their work to achieve the best outcomes possible.

More about The Dance of Life

Advocacy

• The RANZCP's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Committee is comprised of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and psychiatrists with experience working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health. The committee is passionate about improving access to effective mental health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy and advocacy documents
  RANZCP resources for those working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health.  Includes submissions, reports and position statements.
• RANZCP Reconciliation Action Plan
  The College's plan for increasing meaningful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and helping to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Education

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health modules. 

Member login is required to access these resources.

• Module 1: Interviewing an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander patient
• Module 2: Developing a mental health management plan for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander patient
• Module 3: Formulation of a case involving an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander patient
• Module 4: Review a model of mental health service delivery in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community

Indigenous EPAs in the RANZCP Fellowship Program

Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are part of the College's Fellowship training program, including Stage 2 EPAs on Indigenous mental health.

External resources

• Workshops about mental health assessment and suicide prevention of Aboriginal clients
• Nicheportal website 
  Educational resources for medical specialists who care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and patients.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Curriculum Framework Department of Health (Australia)
• Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration produced by National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership in Mental Health. 

This page and some of the associated resources were made possible through Australian Government funding.