Aboriginal-led research is implementing and evaluating the Debakarn Koorliny Wangkiny (Steady Walking and Talking) co-design framework.
The aim is to improve mental health services for Aboriginal young people. Most youth mental health service staff are ‘dedicated people with a strong sense of social justice.
They want to meet the needs of young Aboriginal people,’ says Professor Michael Wright, Curtin School of Allied Health. ‘But they also know they don’t know how to do this.‘For historical reasons, Aboriginal youth distrust mainstream organisations.
For this reason, they often don’t seek help early for mental health issues.‘Our Journey Our Story aims to build the capacity of mental health service staff.