The Mental Health of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

There are approximately 517,200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people residing in Australia. This represents 2.5 per cent of the total Australian population. When compared with non-Indigenous Australians. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are less likely to be employed. are less likely to own a home and are overrepresented in supported accommodation for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. While Australians enjoy relatively good health overall. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience higher death rates than non-Indigenous Australians across all age groups (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 2008). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people also experience higher rates of some mental disorders and social and emotional well-being problems than others (Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council, 2004a). Prevalence estimates of mental illness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are not well researched or documented in Australia (Henderson, Andrews & Hall, 2000). As a way to understand the issues currently facing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia, and as a context for reflecting on these facts and figures, it is important to have some insight into the history of Indigenous people in Australia.