Mental health services that consult with Elders can deliver better care to Aboriginal people
Collaboration with Elders is key to improving mental health services for Aboriginal people
Aboriginal Elders in Perth are working with mainstream mental health service leaders to improve mental health services for their community. This collaborative approach is crucial for delivering better care to Aboriginal people. Our latest research paper, published as a case study in the journal Social Sciences, shows how Perth-based mental health services are now becoming more culturally informed and responsive, with Aboriginal people more likely to feel acknowledged, respected and safer when accessing services.
Building trust and relationships
For this to occur, trust needs to be built between mental health services and the community. And relationships are essential for understanding and trust to grow. Engaging in a “relational” way means slowing down and dedicating time and space to connect, listen and learn. Doing so opens a space for dialogue so people feel heard and included. Our research participants remark on how much they value the opportunity to build a relationship with Elders and the Aboriginal community. It is more likely that people will trust one another when they get to know each other.
The importance of leadership
The Elders stressed the importance of strong leadership in ensuring changes are embedded across all levels of services. Uncle Peter Wilkes, a Nyoongar Elder, explains that this way of working is informed by an Aboriginal cultural approach to leadership: “Biddi is actually a path and biddiya is someone who leads down that path. [… The bosses are] protecting whoever is following. So, that’s what we’re doing. So, they call us biddiyas [cultural bosses]: we’re doing things now for people [the future generations] to come.”
Breaking down the transactional mindset
Our research has found that most organisations, and the people working in them, are eager to be more relational, to the extent that many want to take immediate action. But we stress the need to go steady – debakarn – and to build relationships first. Over time, participants move beyond a narrowly transactional mindset and become more relational and culturally flexible in their everyday workplace. Importantly, participants build their confidence in relating with Aboriginal Elders and community members.
The Elders’ perspective
One of the main messages from Looking Forward’s consultation with Elders and the broader Aboriginal community was the need to be part of the process and to have input into all policies. For this to occur, trust needs to be built between mental health services and the community. The Elders make a big impression by communicating their love for their Country (the term used for different groups’ distinct ancestral land) and their desire for their community to build self-determination.
Five key elements for successful collaboration
The latest Looking Forward case study identified five key elements for successfully collaborating with Elders to improve health services:
* Openness and humility to be teachable
* Commitment, listening and responding
* Unlearning to apply new learning
* Integrating new leadership practices
* Stewarding resources to facilitate decisions that impact Aboriginal clients
Conclusion
In conclusion, collaboration with Elders is key to improving mental health services for Aboriginal people. By building trust and relationships, strong leadership, and a relational approach, mental health services can become more culturally informed and responsive. This approach not only creates positive and lasting change for Aboriginal people’s social and emotional wellbeing, but it’s good for all mental health consumers.
FAQs
Q: What is the importance of building relationships in mental health services?
A: Building relationships is essential for understanding and trust to grow. Engaging in a “relational” way means slowing down and dedicating time and space to connect, listen and learn.
Q: What is the role of Elders in improving mental health services?
A: Elders play a crucial role in improving mental health services by providing guidance, knowledge, and cultural expertise. They are the custodians of their community’s history, culture, and traditions.
Q: How can mental health services become more culturally responsive?
A: Mental health services can become more culturally responsive by building relationships with Elders and the Aboriginal community, and by incorporating cultural knowledge and practices into their services.
Q: What is the importance of leadership in improving mental health services?
A: Strong leadership is essential in ensuring changes are embedded across all levels of services. Leaders must be committed to cultural safety and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal people.
Q: What are the key elements for successful collaboration with Elders?
A: The key elements for successful collaboration with Elders include openness and humility to be teachable, commitment, listening and responding, unlearning to apply new learning, integrating new leadership practices, and stewarding resources to facilitate decisions that impact Aboriginal clients.
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