Calls for Indigenous Health Services

23 March 2011 | 02:55:07 PM| Source: SBS staff and agencies

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Health Minister Nicola Roxon signs the 'Close the Gap' pledge with former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. (AAP)

On the eve of National Close the Gap Day, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is calling for improved mental health services for Indigenous Australians.

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"Indigenous Australians experience significantly higher rates of health problems and mental illness than other Australians," said Dr Maria Tomasic, President of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).

Problems, sayd Dr Tomasic, that are reflective of the comparable social and economic disadvantage of Indingeous Australians.

Compounding the issue said Dr Tomasic, is a shortage of "culturally appropriate" health services for Indigenous Australians in urban and remote rural regions.

Lasting consequences of past actions

This month RANZCP published an update of its Stolen Generations Position Statement which states that the "psychological trauma" of the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families continues to impact on the health and social wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

"It is vital that the overall healthcare and disadvantage of Indigenous people in Australia is improved as physical health and mental health are intrinsically linked," said Dr Lawrence Dadd, Chair of the RANZCP's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Committee.

The comments come as Australia prepares to celebrate National Close the Gap Day tomorrow, with over 850 events planned to raise awareness of health gaps between Indingeous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Positive signs

Since 2006, 150,000 Australians have formally pledged their support for achieving Indigenous health equality - a positive sign, says co-chair of the Close the Gap Campaign and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda.

"This has helped persuade almost every Federal, State and Territory government and opposition party to sign the historic Close the Gap statement of Intent," Commissioner Gooda said.

"Indigenous Australians are such a minority that our votes hold little sway at elections, which is why the people power behind National Close the Gap Day is such a vital force."

The Close the Gap campaign calls on the Australian government to take action to achieve Indigenous health equality within 25 years by increasing access to and building Indigenous control over health services.

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Your Comments

24 Mar 2011 13:09 AEST

philip@2mf.net

From: redfern

close the gap to close all gaps

On National Close the Gap Day it should be remembered the gap that needs to be closed to close all other gaps is the one between the indigenous tradition of equitable governance between women and men and the paternalism enshrined in the nation's constitution, which can only be accomplished with provision for a women's legislature.

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