Leaders focus on Indigenous mental health during Yindyamarra Talk

During the second annual Yindyamarra Talk, The Healing Foundation chief executive Fiona Cornforth said border closures and lockdowns created barriers for people accustom to connecting to community and closure.

She said First Nations people know the impact of removal.

"It's important, having an understanding of the impacts of trauma, to know you're not the only one suffering," she said.

"It's important we are kind to ourselves and give ourselves that grounding wherever possible.

"We have to stay connected in culture with each other by any means. Restoring and maintaining safe and enduring relationships ... because we heal together."

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Psychiatrist Neil Phillips said the anxiety felt during lockdowns and outbreaks was normal and could play a beneficial role in regulating behaviour.

Charles Sturt University Pro Vice-Chancellor of First Nations Engagement Juanita Sherwood said the forum started a conversation about the important role community plays in sharing knowledge and healing.

"The resources that we shared during the forum have been working with First Nations people for a long time and understand that mental health is part of our total wellbeing and cannot be separated from a history of invasion, colonisation and racism," Professor Sherman said.

The event was hosted by Charles Sturt University Professor Stan Grant Jnr and attended by Member for Albury Justin Clancy.

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