Mental health services by and for Aborigines and Islanders: a follow-up report

The indigenous behavioural health programme for Aborigine and Islander Community of the Townsville area was belatedly funded and has recently been expanded. An additional group of five behavioural health technicians have been trained to provide broadened services emphasizing alcoholism counselling and community based activities. Evaluation of the programme indicates a considerable increase in the utilization of mental health services by the community as compared to utilization prior to the behavioural health service. Self-referrals account for 40% of the cases. Referrals from the centre's physician and from family account for much of the others. Problems seen are multiple, often both of personal-emotional and of a social service nature. Alcoholism, family-material child-school problems, anxiety and depression were frequent emotional problems. Issues as to whether or not such indigenous programmes should rather deal with social problems or physical health are discussed.