Megan Krakouer wins accolade celebrating outstanding leadership in mental health for First Nations people

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Megan Krakouer, a Menang Woman of the Noongar Nation, is a dedicated advocate for the human rights of First Nations Australians

Megan Krakouer is the winner of a 2023 Australian Mental Health Prize recognising and celebrating outstanding Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander mental health leadership at a national or community level.


In a conversation with NITV Radio, Megan Krakouer explained how she approaches mental health from a holistic angle.

She is considered a First Nations rights beacon involved in reshaping laws and advocating for the marginalised.

Megan Krakouer's far-reaching impact is visible across Australia as she passionately advocates at events and in her written work.
I’ve seen too many life support machines turned off young ones before their time! We are not put on this earth to bury our children! We can't ignore the underlying causes: the crushing weight of poverty, the poison of discrimination, and the barriers to education that push these young souls to such desperation. What's needed is unshakable sup port systems and taking decisive action. C oncrete steps and direct assistance is what’s needed. It's on all of us to step up, shield these vulnerable lives, and nurture them with care and urgency
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Especially poignant is her call to action on the devastating rates of First Nations youth suicide, with a staggering 80 percent of Australian child suicides occurring among First Nations children aged 12 and below.

Megan's urgent plea for change resonates as she addresses the root causes – poverty, discrimination, and limited access to education – and emphasises the dire need for robust support systems, psychosocial interventions, and affirmative measures to prevent further loss of life.
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Megan Krakouer traverses the expanse of Australia to effect positive change. She speaks at events and writes articles advocating for better outcomes for First Nations Australians. In particular, she draws attention to the distressing rates of suicide among Indigenous youth, specifically those aged 12 and below.
The Australian Mental Health Prize was established in 2016 by UNSW Sydney. It recognises Australians who have made outstanding contributions to either the promotion of mental health, or the prevention/treatment of mental illness.







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