Latest News at Katungul
Research shows NSW South Coast First Nations communities face immense challenges in wake of bushfire crisis.
MEDIA
RELEASE
27
February 2020
The recent bushfires on the NSW South Coast have undoubtedly had catastrophic impacts on many local residents, but pressure on our already vulnerable First Nations communities has been amplified, a recent report has found.
Studies conducted by HealthANSWERS, a partnership including
Australian National University and Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Regional
Health and Community Services, have found that the immediate and long term
ripple effects of the recent bushfire crisis on the social and mental wellbeing
of the NSW south coast communities will be significant.
“The Aboriginal community, like all communities are doing it tough during this
time. However, when an already vulnerable group of people are faced with such
significant physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural challenges, it
inevitably puts our First Nations community under immense pressure” explains
Katungul CEO, Joanne Grant.
“Proactive research such as this provides the south coast
community with tangible results and a powerful voice as we move into recovery
and planning for the future.
“It can be challenging to provide
holistic psychological supports for regional communities during normal
operations with current funding, let alone in response to such a crisis as
this. Our community is resilient, but we need extra support. This
research verifies this.” Grant explains.
Since re-opening clinic doors 7 weeks ago, Katungul experienced immediate
spikes in respiratory issues, an increased need for mental health supports for
trauma and anxiety, and self-referrals to the health organisation’s community
services arm for those facing financial hardship, family breakdown, domestic
violence and an increase in substance misuse.
The spiritual and cultural impacts the bush fires have had on the local First Nations community during the summer period also cannot be ignored. The Mogo Aboriginal Land Council was destroyed on New Years Eve along with all the local cultural and historical documentation, legal documentation and historical artefacts kept within. Further south, the impact the bushfires have had on cultural sites between Gulaga and Mumbulla Mountains is not yet known.
“The health and wellbeing of our community is tightly interlinked with the trees and the bush and vibrancy of our culture. The impact these bushfires have had on our community’s ability to find solace in these elements and practice culture will no doubt have significant long term effects on all areas of our health. Having this challenge acknowledged is important” Katungul Chairperson Ron Nye explains.
Katungul provides both clinical and community services
needs to the NSW South Coast Aboriginal community from under the one roof which
is widely recognised as best practice
in Indigenous Primary Health. With the right support, Katungul is ready, willing and above all
best-placed to deliver Aboriginal Community-led supports to First Nations
communities in our region.
The
HealthANSWERS (ACT, NSW Education, Research and Service) Partnership is an
established network of healthcare services, support agencies and major
universities in the ACT and southern New South Wales that provides unparalleled
opportunities to develop, pilot and implement health promotion and healthcare
improvements.
F or
media enquires please contact Katungul Communications team:
Email: comms@katungul.org.au
OR
Carly McTavish, (Tues/ Thurs): 0458 009 608
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