Indigenous Mental Health program receives tick from national expert

The recently retired Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Committee of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), Dr Rob Parker, has voiced his support for USQ's new Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Mental Health and Well-Being.

Dr Parker is also the Director of Psychiatric Services for the Top End of the Northern Territory and says the qualification will provide skills for the challenging and socially important work in Indigenous Mental Health.

'I am very supportive of the new Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Mental Health and Well-Being being offered by the University of Southern Queensland.

'Significant disadvantage continues to afflict the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of Australia in respect to their health status and the social determinants of their health.

'It is very important that health professionals who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people have an understanding of these background issues as well as the prevailing richness and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

'I feel that participation in the Graduate Certificate will allow these insights, empowering the health professionals doing the Graduate Certificate and thus providing a better service for their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients,' said Dr Parker.

Bill McCann is the Program Coordinator for the Graduate Certificate and says as part of this course students will look at a variety of topics including kinship, languages, land affiliation, as well as culturally appropriate intervention strategies in Indigenous Mental Health.

'We have four courses on offer including one in Indigenous Australian Cultures and Communities that looks at traditional issues and the variety of Indigenous communities across Australia.

'A major focus on this course will be to emphasise that there is difference and variety in Australian Indigenous cultures.'

The other courses on offer are Concepts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Indigenous Australian Mental Health Today and Culturally Appropriate Intervention Strategies in Indigenous Mental Health.

Assistant Director of USQ's Kumbari/Ngurpai Lag Higher Education Centre, Mr Ron Hampton, is also supportive of the Graduate Certificate.

'Health workers need different skills for working with Indigenous clients as opposed to mainstream clients. This subject will look at culturally appropriate intervention strategies in relation to major issues such as substance abuse and dependence, suicide, psychotic disorders, anxiety and depression.'

For more information on the program please refer to our website: www.usq.edu.au or the Program Coordinator, Bill McCann on +61 7 4631 2252

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092 or +61 412 097 326