Djirruwang, which means ‘light’ in the NSW south coast Indigenous Tharawal language, is a tertiary level course specifically designed for Indigenous mental health practitioners to meet the needs of their own communities across Australia. The importance of this program was recognised last year through an Australia Learning and Teaching Council award.

 

Graduates of the Djirruwang program have secured work within mainstream mental health, community mental health services, Aboriginal organisations and Aboriginal community run health services.

 

Through the MOU, CSU and NSW Health will further develop clinical placements for students; adopt honorary academic titles for NSW Health staff involved in the program; offer professional support and practice for staff from both organisations; establish an executive group as well as a course advisory committee; and promote cadetships and scholarships to enhance recruitment.

 

“Improving the health and well-being of our Indigenous people is a major challenge for this country and CSU plays a significant role in that process through its Djirruwang program,” said Dean of the CSU Faculty of Science, Professor Nick Klomp.

 

“The new MOU puts in place a number of activities to further develop the program and build on the impressive achievements to date. The program will continue to equip Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with the knowledge and skills needed to improve Indigenous mental health throughout Australia.”

 

“The overarching aim of this program is to increase capacity and sustainability for the Indigenous mental health workforce and to enable our graduates to be able to work competently in mainstream, Indigenous medical services and communities,” said Mr Wayne Rigby, Director of CSU’s Djirruwang program.

 

CSU acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ross Chambers and Associate Director, Mental Health Clinical Policy, Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Office with NSW Health, Dr Karin Lines will sign the MOU at 11am at Charles Sturt University at Wagga Wagga.