Bringing-Them-Home-Report-Web

The effects of forcible removal are far-reaching and complex and often compoundedin subsequent generations. A focus simply on ‘mental health’ therefore is inappropriatefor two reasons. First, the concept is a western one which does not encompass theIndigenous perspective of social, spiritual and community well-being. Second, healingthe effects of forcible removal will require a number of inter-related strategies, only oneof which is clearly covered by the term ‘mental health’. All the effects of the removalpolicies need to be addressed including substance misuse, parenting skills deficits,impacts on physical well-being, children’s and youths’ behavioural disturbances and soon. We can understand all of these under the general rubric of rehabilitation whilerecognising that the need for rehabilitation will be felt by the people who were removed,their families including their own children and grandchildren and their communities as awhole.It is imperative that separation, identity issues and their effects on Aboriginal wellbeing are keptin the forefront as Aboriginal Mental Health Services are developed and implemented, and intraining Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison Officers (Link-Up (NSW) submission 186 page 159).A very significant continuing effect of the forcible child removal policies has beenthe undermining of parenting skills and confidence. Rebuilding these must be a priority.The 1993 National Aboriginal Mental Health Conference recommended that ‘culturallyappropriate Aboriginal family therapy programs be developed by Aboriginal Legal,Medical and Children’s Services’ (Swan and Raphael 1994 page 31).Most communities suggest the need for special programs to support young Aboriginal people andto redevelop parenting skills both in terms of child rearing generally and traditional practices(Raphael et al 1996 page 15).Submissions to the Inquiry from Indigenous organisations were very supportive ofthese programs.That parenting programs be developed and made available for carers who might benefit fromsuch programs. These programs must be provided from appropriate organisations such asAboriginal Child Care Agencies and must be developed and provided in a culturally appropriatemanner … That preventive family support programs be developed and run from accessibleorganisations such as Aboriginal Child Care Agencies (SA Aboriginal Child Care Agencysubmission 347 recommendations 7 and 9).Today there is a massive Koori Parenting crisis, which VACCA [Victorian Aboriginal Child CareAgency] confronts daily with parents in difficulties coping with their children, and in the manymanifestations of family violence. VACCA’s experienced workers perceive a strong link betweenchildren who do not receive adequate nurturing, consistent parenting, especially in their earliestyears, and their later violent behaviour in their family settings (Jenny Gerrand submission 578page 3).The 1995 report of the WA Taskforce on Families also identified the issue and