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preventive programs in Queensland.South Australian data also reveal high usage by Indigenous people of in-patientservices (equivalent to or slightly higher than non-Indigenous rates of use) (SAGovernment final submission page 48).To some extent adequate service provision has been hindered by a lack of data onthe extent of mental health and emotional problems among Indigenous people. TheInquiry applauds the Commonwealth’s intention to remedy the lack of data (submissionpage 13). However government health departments should recognise that because of theirgreater exposure to causal factors Indigenous people are more likely than others toexperience mental and emotional ill-health. In addition discriminatory treatment such asthat revealed by the Northern Territory research cited above cannot be excused.Having reviewed the Australian literature the authors of the National Consultancyreport on Indigenous mental health, Ways Forward, concluded that ‘available dataindicates significant mental health problems affect at least 30% of the [Indigenous]community and McKendrick’s study using systematic measures indicates there is likelyto be an even higher level for some groups’ (Swan and Raphael 1995 page 36).It is not possible to quantify the need accurately, as prevalence rates have not been researched.However, the proportion of people who experience severe and recurrent emotional distress ordisorder is likely to be considerable (Sydney Aboriginal Mental Health Unit submission 650page 3).In light of these findings the Inquiry considers that the needs are first for theprovision of targeted services for Indigenous people and second for additional measuresto enhance their access to mainstream services.Existing servicesCommonwealth fundingThe Commonwealth does not directly provide mental health services. TheCommonwealth funds Indigenous medical and health services ($83.3 million in 1996-97)and substance misuse services ($16.8 million in 1996-97) (Commonwealth Governmentsubmission page 9). In October 1996 the Minister for Health, Michael Wooldridge,announced a federal commitment of almost $20 million over four years commencing1996-97 specifically for Indigenous mental health initiatives. The strategy, or ‘ActionPlan’, is based largely on the Ways Forward report.The Action Plan aims to enhance the cultural appropriateness of mainstreamservices at the same time as bolstering the capacity of Indigenous primary health careservices to meet mental health needs. Families and young people are targeted. Forexample there are initiatives to reduce youth suicide and strengthening families is astrategy for this.