Indigenous Mental Health and Child Protection – Perspectives of a Dharug Woman on the Frontline
Tracks
Ballroom 1 - In Person & Online
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 |
2:15 PM - 2:35 PM |
Overview
Emma Blackburn, Caspa Services
Details
Presentation Key Learnings
1. How to establish cultural safety with children and families experiencing Intergenerational Trauma
2. How to establish emotional safety with children and families experiencing Intergenerational Trauma
3. How to create a collaborative environment that ensures the needs of the child and family are being met and the appropriate therapeutic supports are being provided.
Speaker
Ms Emma Blackburn
Senior Practitioner
CASPA Services
Indigenous Mental Health and Child Protection – Perspectives of a Dharug Woman on the Frontline
Abstract
Intergenerational Trauma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is a living legacy of colonisation. The primary causal influences of infant and child mental health disparities in First Nations children are: the intergenerational disruption to family structures, parenting practices, and the absence of being able to experience indigenous culture in daily life. First Nations children continue to be the highest reported population group subject to child protection concerns and removals of First Nations children continue to grow each year.
Establishing cultural and emotional safety with a highly dispossessed and continually marginalised population group such as Australia’s First Nations people is challenging. Australia’s First Nations people are the most researched population group across Australia, with few tangible differences or outcomes identifiable despite this. The mistrust of services as a result of years of oppressive legislation and adopted policies and practices has contributed to the infant and child mental health differences currently seen across our communities.
Addressing Intergenerational Trauma is not individual work, and we need a whole of community approach to collectively support our First Nations children and families through programs and interventions that are designed in consultation and delivered collaboratively with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
This presentation provides insights into supporting infant and child mental health within the context of working with families and communities experiencing Intergenerational Trauma. We will review case studies to highlight examples of best practice and collaborative engagement. Share learned experiences from the perspective of an Aboriginal woman walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants, children, youth, families, and communities on their path to achieving social and emotional wellbeing.
Establishing cultural and emotional safety with a highly dispossessed and continually marginalised population group such as Australia’s First Nations people is challenging. Australia’s First Nations people are the most researched population group across Australia, with few tangible differences or outcomes identifiable despite this. The mistrust of services as a result of years of oppressive legislation and adopted policies and practices has contributed to the infant and child mental health differences currently seen across our communities.
Addressing Intergenerational Trauma is not individual work, and we need a whole of community approach to collectively support our First Nations children and families through programs and interventions that are designed in consultation and delivered collaboratively with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
This presentation provides insights into supporting infant and child mental health within the context of working with families and communities experiencing Intergenerational Trauma. We will review case studies to highlight examples of best practice and collaborative engagement. Share learned experiences from the perspective of an Aboriginal woman walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants, children, youth, families, and communities on their path to achieving social and emotional wellbeing.
Biography
Emma has worked within the Community Services sector as an educator, across the spectrum of Child Safety, and in Domestic and Family Violence.
At CASPA Services, Emma supports the overall psychological health and wellbeing of children and young people living in out of home care, and parents and carers aiming to achieve family restorations.
Aligned with her experience as a TAFE Community Services educator Emma also upskills the CASPA team ensuring the best therapeutic care is provided across all our programs.
Emma is a proud Dharug woman who has lived on Gumbaynggirr land for over 30 years.
Moderator
Julia Cutler
Senior Event Manager
AST Management
Shinade Hartman
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AST Management
Presenter
Emma Blackburn
Senior Practitioner
CASPA Services
Session Chair
Judy Kynaston
General Manager
Be You - Early Childhood Australia
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