Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are unique in their culture and context. Their history is also different, and many concerns regarding their mental health and emotional well-being relate to their history. They are interconnected with their culture and rely on blood relations very much. Therefore, approaches to their mental health and emotional well-being should concentrate on this aspect. The following pages have briefly considered the suitable and appropriate culture-based approach for their mental health and emotional well-being.
Approaches to Recovery:
The most appropriate approach to mental health and emotional well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is context-based and integrated to culture. It means that the approach for mental health recovery focuses not on the problem only. It also covers the social context and background of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. They have a strong culture that is based on community and family relationships for centuries. In modern times, they have lost their centuries-old culture. Therefore, context-based and integrated to culture approach should concentrate on all related elements of their culture involving psychological and nursing aspects (Dudgeon, Walker, Scrine, Shepherd, Calma, & Ring, 2014).
Psychological Approach to Recovery:
An appropriate approach for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must be different from a similar program for other communities. It should address the psychological state of mind of the community. It is because they have experienced an actual trauma that has affected them psychologically. They require the recovery of their lost culture and traditions. They want a healing experience that can help them recover from the trauma. Therefore, the psychological approach to recovery focuses on the mental health recovery from the conscious and subconscious mindset of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The reasons for trauma and approaches to remove them should be the focus of this approach. In so doing, the program based on the psychological approach should address the psychological aspects of these people (The Sax Institute, 2018).
Nursing as the Approach to Recovery:
One of the approaches for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is to provide them assistance through the nursing approach. The nursing approach to mental health recovery is highly suitable because it would affect them and heal them with assistance from a medical expert. Moreover, family relations are very strong among the chosen community. So, a caregiver from the family can help the patient recover from mental health problems. If someone is not available for caregiving, one must assist the outside nurse in helping provide recovery to the patient. It is to know that emotional wellbeing and mental health issues originate from the stress caused by disruptions in family connections and cultural distortions. Therefore, such a program should engage families and community life so that participants can learn the maximum from it. Nursing approach to mental health recovery should include these aspects in its approach. It provides physical support to the needy of mental health. They can recover and heal from hardships and challenges emerging from trauma in history. Partnerships with ongoing programs and families of the community can be the best strategy for the betterment of aggrieved Indigenous people (Dudgeon, Walker, Scrine, Shepherd, Calma, & Ring, 2014).
Conclusion:
The above features of the approach for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders indicate one common feature. The Indigenous people are deeply linked and connected with their community and their families. An approach that is context-based and integrated into culture is worthwhile to be implemented. Moreover, the psychological approach to mental health recovery and the nursing approach to mental health recovery is helpful for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders experiencing mental health issues. The paper recommends that any approach should work in collaboration with ongoing programs initiated by the government and other departments. Moreover, the jurisdiction of the partnership should also include the broader community and family life of Indigenous people. A more connected and integrated approach is the best one for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
References
Dudgeon, P., Walker, R., Scrine, C., Shepherd, C., Calma, T., & Ring, I. (2014). Effective strategies to strengthen the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Retrieved October 5, 2020, from https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/6d50a4d2-d4da-4c53-8aeb-9ec22b856dc5/ctgc-ip12-4nov2014.pdf.aspx?inline=true
The Sax Institute. (2018). Improving social and emotional wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Retrieved October 5, 2020, from https://www.beyondblue.org.au/docs/default-source/policy-submissions/aboriginal-programs-for-sewb_final-4.pdf?sfvrsn=157bbfea_4.
