Dudgeon, P., Alexi, J., Derry, K., Brideson, T., Calma, T., Darwin, L., Gray, P., Hirvonen, T., McPhee, R., Milroy, H., Milroy, J., Murray, D., & Sutherland, S. (2021). Mental health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia during COVID-19. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 56 (4), 485– 502. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.185

ABSTRACT

In May 2020, an independent working party was convened to determine the mental health and well-being needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, in response to COVID-19. Thirty Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and allies worked together in a two-month virtual collaboration process. Here, we provide the working party’s five key recommendations and highlight the evidence supporting these proposals. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination and governance must be prioritised to manage the COVID-19 recovery in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. To mitigate long-term social and economic impacts of COVID-19 to Australian society, the historical underinvestment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must be reconciled. Equitable, needs-based funding is required to support strengths-based, place-based initiatives that address the determinants of health. This includes workforce and infrastructure development and effective evaluation. There is a clear, informed pathway to health and healing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples being enacted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and community organisations; it remains to be seen how these recommendations will be implemented.