Introduction
Cultural acknowledgement
Rhonda Wilson is a Wiradjuri descendent and vigorous advocate and activist for the promotion of cultural safety and decolonisation in our education and health institutions. She pays yindyamarra (respect) to Traditional Owners of all culutral lands including, Elders past, present, and emerging. She acknowledge the Darkinjung Traditional Custodians of the land where she lives, and the the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands RMIT Univeristy is situated. As a matter of cultural responsiveness, obligation and urgency, she aims to continuously produce culturally safe scientific evidence towards strengthening and improving the health and social and emotional wellbeing outcomes of First Nation Peoples.
About the editor
Professor Rhonda Wilson [RN CMHN BNSc (JCU) MN(Hons) (UNE) PhD (UNE)] is an internationally recognised mental health nursing scientist with a research focus on digital health interventions. She is Professor of Mental Health Nursing at RMIT University. She leads an innovative digital mental health nursing laboratory, including supervising 12 PhD students. She is a Registered Nurse and a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse in Australia and has worked across various roles as a clinical nurse, researcher and academic in Australia, Denmark and New Zealand over the past 35 years.
She has published extensively in international journals, books and conferences. She has a track record of leading national and international mental health mixed methods research programs, including using methods suited to priority populations, and First Nations peoples. She has a depth of experience in the development and management of funded large-scale multinational digital mental health tailored and implemented studies.
Professor Wilson has worked in a wide range of rural and regional clinical registered nursing roles throughout Northern Queensland, North Western Victoria, South Western Queensland and returning to the New England region in 2005. She commenced her academic career as a lecturer in mental health nursing at the University of New England (UNE) in 2008, leaving in 2016 for a post in Denmark as Associate Professor and Director of a Telepsychiatric Research Centre. Her leadership was instrumental in driving national implementation of digital solutions including an innovative model of care in telepsychiatry for mild to moderate psychiatric conditions as treatment as usual.
Back in Australia, and during lockdown restrictions at the height of a Covid-19 outbreak in Walgett, NSW late 2020, she partnered with Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service and her university colleagues, to go to Walgett to undertake an early humanitarian vaccination campaign to provide urgent protection for the Walgett community.
Professor Wilson continues with a wide international and national network and program of research based at RMIT University.
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/profrhondawilson/
Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/rhondawilsonmhn.bsky.social @rhondawilsonmhn.bsky.social
Synopsis
In “First Nations’ Health, Mental Health, Social, and Emotional Wellbeing,” readers are invited to explore contemporary issues surrounding the health, mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations peoples. A compilation of the latest in research, scholarship and clinical practices by a wide range of authors (First Nations and Allies) has been curated to support clinicians and students across the health professions to strengthen their knowledge and promote culturally responsive practice.
The book highlights the importance of prioritising Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing together with a focus on Indigenous research methods, education, and knowledges aligned to address health disparities and promoting holistic wellbeing. The approach taken in this book promotes the adoption of culturally responsive and safe approaches to healthcare.
Key topics include mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, decolonisation of health and education institutions, social determinants of health, cultural responsiveness and cultural safety, traditional therapies, and the impact of historical trauma. Through a holistic lens, the book emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical, mental, emotional, and cultural health, advocating for a comprehensive approach to strengthening overall wellbeing.
“First Nations’ Health, Mental Health, Social, and Emotional Wellbeing” is an important resource for health care students, healthcare professionals and clinicians, educators, researchers, and policymakers. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of contemporary First Nations’ health issues and to promote practices that demonstrate respect towards Indigenous cultures and communities while prioritising improved health outcomes.
Learning outcomes
- Learning outcome 1: Understanding Indigenous Research Methods and Knowledge: Readers will gain an understanding of Indigenous research methods and knowledge systems, and how they can be applied with contemporary health practices to address health disparities among First Nations peoples.
- Learning outcome 2: Cultural Responsiveness and Cultural Safety in Healthcare: Readers will develop the skills and knowledge to implement culturally responsive and safe healthcare practices, demonstrating respect for Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing in clinical and educational settings.
- Learning Outcome 3: Holistic Approaches to Health and Wellbeing: Readers will understand the holistic interconnectedness of physical, mental, emotional, and cultural health, and how to apply this understanding to promote comprehensive wellbeing among First Nations communities.
- Learning Outcome 4: Addressing Trauma Informed Care and Social Determinants of Health: Readers will be able to identify and address the impact of historical/generational trauma and social determinants of health on First Nations peoples and develop strategies to promote healing and wellbeing through culturally appropriate interventions.
About the publisher
In partnership with RMIT Open Press and the Library Open Publishing Team, we have created an open book to ensure that the materials are freely and widely accessible, and especially for First Nations communities.
Invitation to contribute to this book
Authors (First Nations and Allies) are invited to participate in this edited and curated collective discourse and are encouraged to share the materials widely and in particular draw attention to the open access availability to their students, colleagues and communities. First Nations peoples from Australia and globally will be included.
Chapter submission guidelines
Follow these format guidelines to submit your chapter:
- Free format is accepted.
- APA7th referencing is required.
- Cultural affiliations/acknowledgements and academic affiliations should be noted.
- All knowledge and material should be referenced, including scientific and cultural knowledges.
- Each chapter should have a Title and a short abstract (no more than 300 words).
- Chapters should be approximately 2500-5000 words in length.
- Each chapter should commence with 3 (or more) learning outcomes (signposts represented as (yarning) circles perhaps – will discuss with the editor).
- A brief statement that responds to ‘How does this chapter respond to the global/ national priority to improve health outcomes for First Nations People?’ This should be a maximum of plain language 50 words and will be presented in a box at the beginning of the chapter.
- Headings can be used throughout at author discretion.
- Chapter conclusion should demonstrate that the chapter has answered the learning outcomes stated at the beginning of the chapter.
- Each chapter should end with 2-4 dot points contributions in a section: ‘take away’ story (represented as a coolamon – to carry the story) perhaps a couple of recommendations / next steps/ or implications for practice/ policy/ or cultural connections… ).
- At least one reflective activity/question(s) should be included in each chapter.
- 2-3 glossary terms are welcomed if relevant (to be highlighted in margin box).
- The publisher and editor will need to be consulted regarding any images or reproductions that are included.
- Finally – if authors have a lesson plan for a companion instructor’s manual, or additional readings/activities – please add these.
Please submit your chapter to the RMIT University Library Open Publishing Team open.library@rmit.edu.au.
