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“Ngany Kamam, I Speak Truly”: First-Person Accounts of Aboriginal Youth Voices in Mental Health Service Reform

Author

Listed:
  • Hunter Culbong

    (College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia)

  • Ashton Ramirez-Watkins

    (Youth Programs, Port Hedland Local Council, Port Hedland 6721, Australia)

  • Shae Anderson

    (Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia)

  • Tiana Culbong

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Technology, Sydney 2000, Australia)

  • Nikayla Crisp

    (Design Participation and Inclusion, Neami National, Perth 6000, Australia)

  • Glenn Pearson

    (Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth 6000, Australia)

  • Ashleigh Lin

    (Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth 6000, Australia)

  • Michael Wright

    (School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley 6102, Australia)

Abstract

Aboriginal young people are experts in their own experience and are best placed to identify the solutions to their mental health and wellbeing needs. Given that Aboriginal young people experience high rates of mental health concerns and are less likely than non-Indigenous young people to access mental health services, co-design and evaluation of appropriate mental health care is a priority. Increasing Aboriginal young people’s participation in mental health service reform is key to ensuring services are culturally secure, relevant and accessible. This paper presents first-person accounts from three Aboriginal young people who worked alongside their Elders and in a positive and constructive partnership with mainstream mental health services on a three-year participatory action research project in Perth, Western Australia, in Whadjuk Nyoongar boodja (Country). The young people recount their experiences as participants and co-researchers on a systems change mental health research project and share their views on the importance of privileging Aboriginal youth voices. Their accounts highlight that Aboriginal young people’s participation and leadership must be understood through a decolonising lens and that working in genuine partnership with the community is key to increasing their contact and engagement with mental health care and improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Hunter Culbong & Ashton Ramirez-Watkins & Shae Anderson & Tiana Culbong & Nikayla Crisp & Glenn Pearson & Ashleigh Lin & Michael Wright, 2023. "“Ngany Kamam, I Speak Truly”: First-Person Accounts of Aboriginal Youth Voices in Mental Health Service Reform," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-14, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:11:p:6019-:d:1160718
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wallerstein, Nina, 1999. "Power between evaluator and community: research relationships within New Mexico's healthier communities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 49(1), pages 39-53, July.
    2. Morton Ninomiya, Melody E. & Pollock, Nathaniel J., 2017. "Reconciling community-based Indigenous research and academic practices: Knowing principles is not always enough," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 28-36.
    3. Head, Brian W., 2011. "Why not ask them? Mapping and promoting youth participation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(4), pages 541-547, April.
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