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Adam Goodes will help improve mental health supplied by beyondblue 2 February 2014
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eyondblue CEO Kate Carnell AO has welcomed Adam Goodes’ winning the Australian of the Year award, saying it is a major step in helping to end discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Ms Carnell said that by having his fight against racism recognised with this award, Mr Goodes has been given an unprecedented platform that will result in more people than ever before hearing his message. This is vital in helping to end the discrimination many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders still face, she said, with research showing that distress caused by discrimination is one of the major causes of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. The impact of discrimination on the mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is highlighted by recent ABS statistics that show on average people in these communities are nearly three times more likely to die by suicide than non-indigenous Australians. Similarly, while other ABS statistics show one in 10 nonindigenous Australians are highly distressed, that figure is three in 10 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Ms Carnell said while these figures are inextricably linked to the discrimination these people face, Mr Goodes was changing this. “This award acknowledges the ground-breaking work Adam has done already, but it is also an opportunity for him to spread
Adam Goodes with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his 2014 Australian of the Year award. Image: Sydney Morning Herald.
his antidiscrimination message further and wider,” she said. “The importance of having people like this in the community to remind everyone that racism and discrimination will not be tolerated cannot be underestimated. Awarding him Australian of the Year is recognition of that and recognition of the work still to be done.” Ms Carnell said this work would have an enormous benefit on the mental health of people in these communities. “Figures around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health are tragic,” she said. “By fighting to end racism, Adam is fighting for the wellbeing of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who must endure it. I salute Adam’s passion and courage, but also his patience and capacity for forgiveness. He has already proven himself to be
a phenomenal antidiscrimination advocate, but I cannot wait to see what he will do over the next 12 months as Australian of the Year.” beyondblue’s work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities has a strong focus on building hope, resilience and awareness to promote positive social and emotional wellbeing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This includes programs such as Stories for Keeping Strong, a series of short films in English and Arrernte that help communities tackle depression and anxiety, and sponsorship of culturally-relevant events and media. For more information on beyondblue’s work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities visit: http://www. beyondblue.org.au/aboriginal
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