The Queensland Mental Health Commission’s Don’t Judge, and Listen report is the outcome of research into the effect of stigma and discrimination on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a lived experience of alcohol and other drug use. It considers the negative stereotypes that affect the social and emotional wellbeing of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, irrespective of whether they engage in alcohol and/or other drug use.

Key Findings:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research participants experienced multiple forms of stigma and discrimination related to race, clan, location, and alcohol and other drug use. These resulted in a compound effect that intensified their experiences of stigma and discrimination.
• Public behaviours could be perceived differently if the instigator is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person. There is an assumption that the person may be drunk or wanting to cause ‘trouble.’
• Elders assisted the community to overcome trauma/harm associated with racism and problematic alcohol and other drug use.
• Most participants felt that they cannot get support with mental health and problematic alcohol and other drug use where and when they need it.