About the Research
The Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing (TIMHWB) Research Project will involve three streams of research activity with priority on defining and establishing culturally safe mental health support through building an evidence base of what works for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
The initial phase will involve:
- Understanding the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Defining successful culturally appropriate models of care and workforce in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health sector
- Defining successful culturally appropriate models of care and work force in maintstream services
To build sustainable models, these findings will be translated to a set of principles and protocols to guide culturally safe practice.
The second phase will further define and pilot culturally appropriate models in practice. Evaluations will be translated to create an evidence base of what works.
The research design aligns with an overarching impact plan that includes translation and evaluation frameworks to maximise the long-term impacts of the research.
Each of the Aboriginal-led streams will focus on:
Empowering Access
Empowering community and empowering services so that the best service is provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. Build confidence in relationships so that there is more mental health and wellbeing options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
Empowering the Workforce
Improving workforce models, curriculum development and cultural safety. Build confidence through appropriate knowledge and skill development for both the community controlled and mainstream mental health and wellbeing workforce.
Empowering Service Systems
Developing clinical and culturally safe models of service delivery through evaluation, best practice guides, pathways of care and outcomes. Build confidence through good guidance, models and evidence.
Funding
The Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Program is funded by the Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission. The Million Minds Health Research Mission is an Australian Government initiative which aims to support a million Australians with mental health issues access new approaches to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
The research mission is focused on areas that are important to national mental health and wellbeing. With early priorities including:
- eating disorders
- child and youth mental health
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health
- suicide prevention
