Mental health, drugs cause for concern in the Kimberley

By PETER ROWE

Mental health is a growing issue in regional and remote parts of Australia and the lack of Aboriginal people to support struggling communities was highlighted at a meeting on Broome last week.

Fitzroy Crossing Men’s Shed chief executive Rene Dingo called for locals to be trained to support members of their communities, to offer help with mental health first aid, or become counsellors or first responders.

“There needs to be a greater focus on empowering and training Aboriginal people to support people with mental health needs in their own communities,” Ms Dingo said.

The WA government’s five-year Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy plan is set to begin early next year.

Fitzroy Crossing, a Kimberley community with about 1,000 residents, has seen drug use escalate this year with methylamphetamine, locally called “ngarbs” the major issue.

The lack of real rehab facilities in these communities has been described as the major cause of mental health issues in the region.