Mental Health Community Development

1. How effective has this approach to community work been overall?

The healing hands health rights campaign is an initiative by ANTaR which was launched in February 2004. The campaign itself is an effective way of promoting health as a fundamental human right issue, raising awareness of political will and promoting the need for a change in policy so that resources are allocated on the basis of indigenous health. The development of the campaign and the various tactics employed have enabled the issues of indigenous health rights to come to light as a serious matter amongst the general public, political parties, organisations, media etc. The campaign and the information kits readily available are a practical way of promoting the indigenous health issue to a wide variety of people. The development of this campaign has enabled the wider community to be educated about the health issues related to indigenous people so that more support can be registered in order for changes to be made on a national level and so that political parties will treat the issue as a matter of urgency which is one of its ultimate goals.

This approach to community work allows for immediate interaction and co operation from the general public through promotion and media coverage - .i.e. newspapers, news. This not only educates the public and makes them aware of the issue but enables people to show support. Support from over two hundred professionals and eminent indigenous figures have also been used to advantage. Through utilising the support of the general public and others the campaign will be steps closer in gaining support from the government and political parties so that the crisis is treated on a national and political level.

2. How effective has this model/ideology been in this campaign, project or activity?

The healing hands indigenous health rights campaign utilises the Social planning approach. By using this approach, the campaign is delivered at a national level yet acknowledges that if changes with health care situations are to be made responsibility lies with commonwealth, state and territory governments. The campaign is designed to be a success because it is based on many facts and figures about indigenous health and the crisis it is in. the social planning position ensures there has been an assessment of community needs and problems - being the health crisis amongst indigenous Australians and applies a systematic planning of strategies for meeting the needs. This method is appropriate in that it emphasises on national and political procedures, for instance changes within government policies and funding. This ensures that the core aim of the campaign (that is, changing government policies/funding in concern to indigenous health) are not far fetched because of the level it is being applied. The expert knowledge involved in the campaign means that it is more likely the desired outcomes will be achieved. This approach ensures that the majority of the concern lies with delivering appropriate services to the indigenous people so that their health improves. The campaign has changed behaviour in that it has raised community awareness about the indigenous health issue and how it is a matter of urgency - they did this through promoting and suggesting ways to show support - This approach is seen as the community education model. A mass of public debate derived from the campaign and the utilisation of the models. There were public debates evident in the media, with health professionals, among the indigenous community, non indigenous community and eminent Australians such as the governor and the president of the medical association. The campaign has been successful in that it has reached a vast audience and gained huge support from organisations such as government community services and individuals as well as prominent Australian figures. It has also been successful in that it had wide media