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Following consultations in 2006, a new indicator on mental health has beenincluded in this strategic area for action to recognise the importance of mentalhealth and social and emotional wellbeing for Indigenous people. Mental health hasbeen designated a national health priority area for Australia and is the subject of anational strategy and action plan. Mental health and wellbeing are linked to headlineoutcomes of life expectancy, disability and chronic disease, labour forceparticipation and unemployment, suicide and self-harm, family and communityviolence and imprisonment rates. Information on mental health is in section 9.4.Many people recognise the cultural significance of land and the sense of‘connectedness’ that it brings to Indigenous people. The 1991 Royal Commissionon Aboriginal Deaths in Custody noted that:Whilst the particular priorities with respect to land differ between Aboriginal people,they are united in their view that land, whether under the banner of land rights or not, isthe key to their cultural and economic survival as people…..It was the dispossessionand removal of Aboriginal people from their land which has had the most profoundimpact on Aboriginal society and continues to determine the economic and culturalwellbeing of Aboriginal people to such a significant degree as to directly relate to therate of arrest and detention of Aboriginal people (paragraph 19.1.1).A feeling of spiritual and cultural belonging will strengthen the family andcommunity. More discussion on ‘culture’ and its links to the headline indicators iscontained in chapter 2. Survey data on Indigenous people’s access to theirhomelands and traditional country can be found in section 9.5. (Economic aspectsof Indigenous people’s ownership and control of land are explored separately insection 11.3.)Australian and international research suggests that participation in sport cancontribute to physical and mental health, confidence and self-esteem, improvedacademic performance and reduced crime, smoking and illicit drug use. Indigenouspeople’s participation in artistic and cultural activities helps to reinforce andpreserve their culture, while also providing a profitable source of employment.Section 9.5 provides some information and case studies on the participation ofIndigenous people in sport, arts and community activities.Following consultations in 2006, a new indicator ‘engagement with servicedelivery’ has been added to the strategic area for action ‘functional and resilientfamilies and communities’ to focus attention on service accessibility for Indigenouspeople, for both mainstream and Indigenous specific services. Appropriate access toservices is crucial in reducing Indigenous disadvantage. Appropriate access toservices affects outcomes in a wide range of indicators covering health, education,employment and justice. Section 9.7 presents information on engagement withservice delivery.OVERCOMINGINDIGENOUSDISADVANTAGE 2007