Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience mental illness at a disproportionately higher rate than those from other backgrounds, yet, have limited access to recovery services.
Aboriginal people take a holistic view of health and wellbeing with emphasis on social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Family and community input are also highly valued.
Where mental health services often fail indigenous communities is the failure to recognise the disconnect between the mainstream approach to diagnosis and treatment, and Aboriginal cultural attitudes towards health. To bridge the gap between Aboriginal communities and recovery services, recognition of this diversity is essential.
One Door’s approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health includes:
- taking into account the holistic approach.
- acknowledging other issues that are affecting the person including intergenerational trauma and loss.
- acknowledging the cultural diversity among all Aboriginal communities within Australia.
- including Aboriginal health workers to liaise between communities and mental health services (accessing indigenous expertise and knowledge).
- providing cultural awareness training for non-Aboriginal mental health workers, and
- involving Aboriginal people living with mental illness, their families and carers, and other community members in decision making.
One Door has had its second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) officially endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. Advocacy and Inclusion are a strong part of One Door’s history and continue to be a core focus for our future. Our vision for reconciliation is a community that has deep respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their culture and history. We continue to promote social justice and provide strong advocacy support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with mental illness, their families, services and peak bodies.
One Door will continue to challenge and empower all our employees to act within their own spheres of influence and commit to making reconciliation personal.
