Addressing Aboriginal mental health issues on the Tiwi Islands.
OBJECTIVE
This paper provides an overview of the services developed in response to the unique mental health needs of a remote Aboriginal community. We describe an evolving service on the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory and the challenges that need to be addressed if the community is to continue to take a leading role in dealing with mental health issues.


CONCLUSIONS
The Tiwi Mental Health Service demonstrates that community members are able to identify needs and respond accordingly if they are provided with the relevant information and supported in their decision-making process. The establishment of social governance mechanisms and the long-term commitment by a change agent to facilitate the empowerment process are important keys to success. The main challenge in establishing services in rural Aboriginal communities is to identify and support community strengths, including leaders and cultural practices.
Norris
Glenn
G
Tiwi Health Board, Darwin, NT, Australia.
Parker
Robert
R
Beaver
Carol
C
van Konkelenberg
Jude
J
D001315:Australia; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005544:Forecasting; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000639:trends*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data