Mullewa community set to have more effective mental health tools following Healthway investment

Researchers working with Mullewa’s Aboriginal community will soon have access to a more effective tool for measuring mental health and wellbeing, following an almost $200,000 investment.

The University of Western Australia has been given $199,640 for its research project based in the town.

Tharlbarra Maga: Developing a Strong Head, Strong Mind Measure aims to provide the Aboriginal community in the area with alternatives to western methods of treating mental health.

WA Centre for Rural Health and UWA chief investigator Dr Charmaine Green said the funding would help the work that had already taken place in the area.

“We currently don’t have culturally appropriate tools to be able to measure the impact we are making on the local Aboriginal community’s mental health, social and emotional wellbeing,” she said.

“This research project will provide an alternative to Western mental health tools and measures, which are often disliked and not appropriate for Aboriginal people as they do not reflect their cultural beliefs and understandings of wellbeing.

“This research project will take two years to complete. The tools that will be developed are likely to be interactive, story and picture-based, using local idioms and local artists.”

The project was funded as part of Healthway’s 2023 targeted research round, which aimed to address gaps in measuring health behaviours.

Healthway chief executive Colin Smith said he looked forward to the results found in Mullewa.

“This research project will involve extensive consultation with Aboriginal co-researchers and Mullewa community members to better understand the Mullewa mental health story,” he said.

“Once culturally appropriate tools are developed, they will be shared with the wider community to improve our understanding of community mental health in Mullewa and help shape the delivery of more effective health programs.

“The project can also provide a blueprint for other Aboriginal communities to develop similar, locally appropriate tools.”