Aboriginal Young People’s Experiences of Accessibility in Mental Health Services in Two Regions of New South Wales, Australia

Jasper Garay (), Anna Williamson, Christian Young, Janice Nixon, Mandy Cutmore, Simone Sherriff, Natalie Smith, Kym Slater and Michelle Dickson
Additional contact information
Jasper Garay: School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Anna Williamson: The Sax Institute, Glebe, Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia
Christian Young: The Sax Institute, Glebe, Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia
Janice Nixon: The Sax Institute, Glebe, Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia
Mandy Cutmore: The Sax Institute, Glebe, Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia
Simone Sherriff: The Sax Institute, Glebe, Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia
Natalie Smith: Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation, 271 Edward St, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia
Kym Slater: Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, 187 Riverside Dr, Airds, NSW 2560, Australia
Michelle Dickson: School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-11

Abstract: This article assesses the accessibility of mainstream mental health services (MMHSs) in two regions of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, based on experiences and perspectives of Aboriginal young people aged 16–25. Semi-structured yarning interviews were conducted with thirteen Aboriginal young people in two regions of NSW. Thematic analysis was undertaken by all research team members to identify major themes from the data and conceptual connections between them. The identified themes from individual analysis and coding were triangulated during several analysis meetings to finalise the key themes and findings. Aboriginal young people had no experience of engaging with early-intervention MMHSs. MMHSs were identified as inaccessible, with most participants unaware that MMHSs existed in each region. Due to MMHSs being inaccessible, many Aboriginal young people presented to emergency departments (EDs) during a crisis. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) were identified as key providers of accessible, culturally meaningful, and effective social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) service support for Aboriginal young people in NSW. If health and wellbeing outcomes are to improve for Aboriginal young people in NSW, MMHSs must increase accessibility for Aboriginal young people requiring SEWB support.

Keywords: Aboriginal; mental health; young people; social and emotional wellbeing; cultural safety; yarning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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