• Second Yindyamarra Talk focusing on First Nations mental health during COVID-19 is to be held on Thursday 30 September

Charles Sturt University will host the second in its series of Yindyamarra Talks, this one focusing on the mental health and wellbeing of First Nations people during COVID-19.

The first talk was hosted and moderated by Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor's Chair of Australian-Indigenous Belonging Professor Stan Grant Jnr and featured Charles Sturt Pro Vice-Chancellor of First Nations Engagement Professor Juanita Sherwood on the discussion panel.

The first discussion covered how the pandemic has affected First Nations people while the second one, ‘Exploration Series: Yindyamarra Talks – COVID: Mental health matters’, is set to address the impact the pandemic has on their mental health.

First Nations people already have high rates of depression, suicide and anxiety.

The forum will bring together industry experts to share their expertise and answer questions.

Professor Grant Jnr said the first forum uncovered many insights and he is hoping to uncover what can be done to achieve better outcomes for vulnerable First Nations populations.

“Mental health is part of our total wellbeing and cannot be separated from a history of invasion, colonisation and racism,” he said.

“We will provide practical advice and explore ways that First Nations health services can treat and protect our people.”

The discussion panel will consist of:

• Charles Sturt Pro Vice-Chancellor of First Nations Engagement Professor Juanita Sherwood
• Chief Executive Officer of The Healing Foundation Ms Fiona Cornforth
• Director of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention at the University of Western Australia Professor Pat Dudgeon
• Associate Professor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: School of Population Health UNSW and Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner Associate Professor Faye McMillan
• Psychiatrist Dr Neil Phillips

The free online public forum will be held on Thursday 30 September from 10am to 11am and can be viewed via this link.

Koori Radio will broadcast the panel discussion on Sunday 3 October from 6pm and Monday 4 October at 2pm.