Health Issues In Indigenous Health

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Indigenous people and their health With problems rising in Indigenous health, it is becoming essential to understand how poor health condition is developing in Indigenous population within a well present country. The aim of this essay is to understand and discuss right health services for the Indigenous people especially for indigenous youth suffer from mental and depression problem. This essay consists of four sections. Firstly we discuss the impact of colonization and the influence of government policies on health issues of Indigenous people. Secondly we focus on Aboriginal youth mental depression problem and how colonization and policies implicated this. Thirdly we discuss programs that addressing this issue. Finally we will discuss…show more content…
Beyondblue is an independent national government organization. Their goal is to address issues with depression, anxiety, and substance misuse disorders for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. By raising community awareness, providing information on effective treatment options, develop prevention and intervention programs, and working in partnership with the community and the people who live with depression. Headspace is an Australian national foundation; they focus on youth mental health, social well being and participation. This program is specially designed for youth who aged 12 to 25. They are located in each state and territory in Australia. This program is community based with youth friendly services; their staffs are mostly health professional possessing strong knowledge or expert in working with Indigenous youth. They can help youths with their health, education, work, and anything relevant to mental health with involvement of youth themselves, their family and the community (Government of South Australia, 2011). Many programs like Beyoundblue and Headspace for Indigenous youths are still developing or in progress. Since we are realizing Indigenous people’s health is at risk and many programs are just newly developed. Because the cultural properness many of the new or old programs has been closed. A culturally safe service is crucial in enhancing…show more content…
Now we should view Indigenous people’s health within multiple dimensions: cultural, historical, psychological, sociological, environmental and biological. However, the western worldview of health is more focused on medical model. The medical model relies on biologic explanation of illness and disease in terms of malfunction of cells and organs. This model does not consider with other factor introduce to poor health, it concerns about curing disease and restore body functions, by giving medication (antibiotics) or through a surgery procedure. Therefore, the western medical model of health does not meet the Indigenous needs. Indigenous health is focused on emotional, cultural and physical well being of whole community. In which they will impact upon the way in which Indigenous people interact with health care providers. Cultural barriers has reduced the ability for indigenous to participate or access in health care (Thackrah & Scott,2010). There are many factors that contribute to the health of Indigenous Australians. It include education, employment, housing and incarceration. For example, people with low incomes tend to expend less money for food and see doctors less often, because they can not afford. As result they are getting sick more often. Some Indigenous people tend to live in the isolated area, where access to clean water, doctors and health clinics is
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