The workshops have been developed by Spirit Dreaming for the Armajun Aboriginal Health Service in response to feedback they received from communities in the areas where they provide primary health care services: Walcha, Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tenterfield and Tingha.

“The workshops came about through consultation with our communities in our service region,” said Armajun program manager James Sheather.

“They’ve told us there is a need for more mental health wellbeing services in community, so we are hoping these workshops will start the ball rolling by providing community and service suppliers with information sessions to help them understand the issues being faced by their clients.”

Mr Sheather said the workshop would challenge and test past perceptions of Aboriginal Peoples and their culture.

“It is designed to address cultural realities in order to improve service delivery to Aboriginal clients and co-workers,” he said.

“We will explore the three major issues which impact on Aboriginal peoples of today; transgenerational trauma; lateral violence and cultural loads.”

Facilitator Mel Brown, an Aboriginal Ngunnawal woman, will identify and ask participants to consider the actual and potential impacts of these issues upon their community.

“She will also show them available resources and help them develop the skills for managing clients and families who are affected by these issues,” Mr Sheather said.

The Walcha workshop will be held at the Amaroo office on June 13 between 9.30am and 3.30pm.