Addressing the Mental Health Gap in Working with Indigenous Youth: Some Considerations for Non-Indigenous Psychologists Working with Indigenous Youth

It has long been recognised that Indigenous youth between the ages of 15-24 years are one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in contemporary Australian society. There is a plethora of available reports and statistical information gathered over the past 20 years that highlights the perilous situation of Indigenous youth and the specific challenges that confront this group. This article provides a review of the state of our knowledge regarding Indigenous youth with a particular focus upon their mental health needs and their broader social and emotional well-being. This article examines the relevance and potential effectiveness of focused psychological strategies as applied under the Access to Allied Psychological Services program in addressing the needs of Indigenous youth. There is a clear and important role for non-Indigenous Psychologists to play in closing the mental health gap, but practitioners need to have at least an adequate degree of cultural competence in order to engage with Indigenous young people, and be able to deliver psychological interventions that are culturally appropriate and safe and consistent with Indigenous world views. This article provides some guidance for non-Indigenous Psychologists in working with Indigenous youth.