Cultural context in practice in Australia

[Extract] The First Nations people of Australia consist of two distinct ethnic groups: mainland Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islanders. This chapter discusses the cultural context and historical background of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in order to gain an understanding of the mental health issues that affect them in contemporary society. Compared with other Western countries, Australia is one of the wealthier nations, rich in resources and with a highly skilled health workforce. Yet the health disparity between non-Indigenous Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders remains significantly wide. The traumatic impact that colonisation had and continues to have on each generation is immense. In this chapter, the effects of historical, cultural and social determinants of health on Indigenous Australians will be discussed, as well as the risk factors and protective factors involved. British invasion is discussed, as well as the period of colonialism leading to the effect that government policies had on Aboriginal communities. Colonisation had a devastating effect on the social and emotional well-being of Indigenous Australians.

Indigenous Australians have a holistic view of mental health. Holistic health incorporates the physical, social, emotional, spiritual and cultural well-being of a person. Indigenous Australians demonstrate strength, perseverance and resilience in society and the environment.