The Wellbeing Informed Care- Kimberley (WIC-K) project is a partnership between University of Western Australia (Rural Clinical School of Western Australia and School of Indigenous Studies), Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS) and their member services. The project aims to strengthen the Kimberley Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) ability to deliver on their Model of Care by enhancing the delivery of integrated and holistic approaches to mental health and social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) care. 

 The objectives of the consultation were to: 

1. Investigate how Aboriginal people want their mental health and SEWB to be explored when attending a Kimberley ACCHS. 

2. Identify enablers and challenges in providing and receiving mental health and SEWB care. 

Methodology:

Consultation with Aboriginal ACCHS employees and Aboriginal community members occurred at Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services clinics (KAMS), Broome Regional Medical Service (BRAMS), Yuri Yungi Medical Service (YYMS), Derby Aboriginal Health Service (DAHS), and Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service (OVAHS). A yarning based qualitative methodology was used and data was collected by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal team members and Investigators from the WIC-K project. A total of 103 Aboriginal people across the Kimberley region were involved in the consultation. Of these, 50 participants were interviewed individually, and 53 participants contributed via 9 focus groups. Data analysis and the development of the report was a collaboration by all report authors. 

Findings:

The consultation results reveal significant mental health SEWB challenges among Aboriginal people in the Kimberley. These findings offer a qualitative perspective on the complex and cumulative impact of stressful life events, extending beyond statistical data. The insights gained contribute to the understanding of factors that promote wellbeing in the region. Key protective factors include self-efficacy, family support, and participation in SEWB programs as delivered by the ACCHS. The consultation found the term ‘mental health’ still carries significant stigma in the Kimberley Aboriginal population and is often associated with extreme behaviors or severe mental health conditions. Aboriginal Health Workers (AHW) are recognised for their essential role in responding to mental health and other crisis based SEWB incidents within their communities. The findings revealed a diversity of viewpoints on the acceptability of mental health and SEWB enquiry during routine clinical consultations, the approach to these discussions, and who should lead them. Despite divergence in responses there was a consensus that talking about mental health and SEWB was important. Principles for enhancing clinical enquiry were identified throughout the consultations. Many participants identified SEWB services as the most suitable approach for improving community wellbeing. These services were identified as accessible, and meaningful. The desire for the continuation of current SEWB service delivery along with SEWB service delivery expansion has been identified throughout the data.