Mind the gap on indigenous health

Early interventions in childhood and adolescence can improve outcomes for youths suffering poor SEWB. Such programs have been proven to be a powerful prevention strategy, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) publishing data that shows the greatest success is achieved when programs address risk and protective factors early in life.

The Australian Government needs to increase investment and research into school-based youth-orientated prevention and intervention programs. These should aim at decreasing elevated rates of SEWB problems, with a focus on reducing suicide amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youths.

To achieve this, funding to mental health services in schools will need to be increased, along with the establishment of successful SEWB programs in physical education and health studies. This will ensure that all children are provided with the opportunity to learn and develop skills, which will help them deal with possible mental health problems in the future.

Importantly, school-based programs must include culturally relevant material and be presented in a way that is culturally sensitive and appropriate. These should be available and easily accessible in schools with a high Indigenous youth population. This will increase Indigenous children's knowledge and understanding of mental health issues.

In-school programs such as the Aussie Optimism program, created to strengthen social and emotional skills and reduce the effects of risk factors, have been found to be effective in youth populations. Developing these prevention and intervention programs and increasing their availability can increase the number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youths with positive SEWB and help build strong and healthy generations of young people for years to come.

Closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth suicide rates requires a strong and long-term commitment from the entire nation: governmental organisations; local community services; and individuals themselves.

Yet without adequate funding or allocation of resources, the ability to fuel people's desire to make and see changes within a generation will be limited.

Indigenous people must take the lead in addressing youth suicide and develop appropriate and culturally sensitive prevention and intervention programs, in order to adequately target the underlying issues involved in poor SEWB.

But all Australians should feel empowered to support and unite with others in addressing poor SEWB in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. By working together and rallying more support, we can all help to significantly reduce SEWB issues, like suicide, and finally close the gap.Mind the Gap on Indigenous Health

By Billi McCarthy-Price

There remains a 10-year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Australia.

Around 12 per cent of this difference has been attributed to mental health conditions, with four per cent to suicide and six per cent to alcohol and substance abuse.