Mission Australia’s Indigenous Mental Health Report
In light of the UN Special Rappateurs claim that Australia’s treatment of indigenous communities constitutes a ‘major human rights concern,’ Mission Australias National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Youth Report has found its way into the limelight. It confirms the entrenched disenfranchisement and xenophobia aboriginal communities endure. 10% of Aboriginal males and 4.8% of aboriginal females indicated their happiness is zero, compared to only 1.2% of non-aboriginal respondents.
Dispossession, racism, trauma and disconnection from culture and employment are cited as contributors to the poor mental health levels exemplified in the report.
Understandably, calls have surfaced for protective measures to counter the marginalisation indigenous youth experience, and it seems Mission Australia has answered. Youth on Track was introduced late last year. Under the program, police refer young offenders to early intervention rehabilitative services, as part of a $14.5 million attempt to combat indigenous recidivism.
The Daily discussed this with Luke Butcher from Mission Australia.
