Usin’ It or Losin’ It? Colin Locke Aboriginal Mental Health Clinician 5 th - 6 th March 2014 Opal Cove Resort Coffs Harbour

Usin’ It Or Losin’ It? ValuingOurWorkforce?

NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Well-Being Policy

Usin’ It Or Losin’ It? In July 2007, the NSW Government released a Policy which provided a framework for addressing mental health needs for Aboriginal people. “It aims to guide NSW Health and mental health services in Area Health Services (now LHDs) across NSW in providing Aboriginal communities with culturally sensitive and appropriate mental health and social and emotional wellbeing services.” NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Well Being Policy

Usin’ It Or Losin’ It “Under this policy, funding was allocated to build a specialist workforce through the Aboriginal Mental Health Workforce Program.” NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Well Being Policy

Usin’ It Or Losin’ It This policy specifies the following actions: - Employ local Aboriginal people as permanent employees to train as Mental Health Workers. - At completion, the trainees will become fully qualified Aboriginal Mental Health professionals, working as part of a mainstream Area Mental Health Service. NSW Health (2007) NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Well Being Policy NSW Department of Health.

Usin’ It Or Losin’ It Basic facts on the program: Basic facts on the program: · 47 people have completed the traineeship and graduated the Djirruwang Program since · It is estimated that half have remained in NSW Health employment · 19 trainee positions in NSW are funded by Ministry of Health

Usin’ It Or Losin’ It $ $ $

Usin’ It Or Losin’ It? About 25 or so people in NSW have dropped out of the traineeship before completion. About 25 or so people in NSW have dropped out of the traineeship before completion. Some people who left the traineeship did go on to complete the Djirruwang university course Some people who left the traineeship did go on to complete the Djirruwang university course

Usin’ It Or Losin’ It What can be done to stop the loss of this valuable resource of trained Aboriginal Mental Health Clinicians What can be done to stop the loss of this valuable resource of trained Aboriginal Mental Health Clinicians Why can’t they be retained? Why can’t they be retained? The Ministry of Health MHDAO will soon convene a group to work through the evaluation report, develop a NSW Health response and establish a forward plan. The Ministry of Health MHDAO will soon convene a group to work through the evaluation report, develop a NSW Health response and establish a forward plan.

Usin’ It Or Losin’ It The policy specifies the following actions: “Employ local Aboriginal people as permanent employees to train as Mental Health Workers. “ NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Well Being Policy

Usin’ It Or Losin’ It Questions Questions

Usin’ It Or Losin’ It? Or Keepin’ It? Thank you