We are co-hosting @IndigenousX this week to highlight how much is going on around suicide prevention, families and communities in Indigenous Australia. On 5-6 May, the Inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Conference took place in Alice Springs, and 12 May is #IHMayDay16 – a day devoted to discussing Indigenous health.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and knowledge are fundamental to our wellbeing. It is important for individuals to be happy and healthy for their families and communities to be healthy as well. The strength and dynamic of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture is a big part of what makes a healthy community.
This isn’t just a week for Indigenous people to tune in to @IndigenousX but for all Australians – it’s vital for all Australians, health staff in particular, to have a good understanding of how to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. What content is taught at universities varies at each university. If we really are to make any difference to the life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, there needs to be a significant shift in the way health professionals work, building with us in partnership.
[For more of this story, written by Lynore Geia and Summer May Finlay, go to http://www.theguardian.com/com...genous-mental-health
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