05 November 2024
NSW Labor MP the Hon. Rose Jackson will open the panel led by Nunukul Quandamooka woman and Founder of First Nations Co Leilani Darwin, Director of Aboriginal Mental Health NSW Matthew Trindall, Kamilaroi woman and CEO of The Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW Nicole Turner and clinical psychologist Tanja Hirvonen, a proud Jaru, Bunuba and Wakaya woman.
The panel will share insights and perspectives on the impacts of the marginalisation of Indigenous knowledges, highlighting current challenges and opportunities for researchers to work in collaboration with community to undertake research that places First Nations voices at the forefront of mental health research design and health services delivery.
Leilani Darwin says it is important to understand First Nations linkages between mental illness and disordered eating, particularly the ongoing impacts of Colonisation and intergenerational trauma. This work needs to be deeply grounded in social, emotional, cultural and political determinants of health.
The Australian Eating Disorders Research and Translation Centre’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workstream is leading conversation with community and supporting researchers to consider First Nations outcomes and priorities when conducting research. Following the panel discussion, workstream lead Leilani will be presenting the Centre’s consideration tool. Developed with community Elders and Leaders, the tool will support non-Indigenous researchers to ensure their research contributes to efforts to address the Close the Gap national strategy, and as a repository to engage with the existing high-quality community led research guidance.
Researchers are encouraged to support and lead culturally guided initiatives aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of how eating disorders and disordered eating impacts the health and wellbeing of First Nations Australians.
The panel will be held on Wednesday, 6 November at the SMHR 2024 conference at The Masonic Centre in Sydney.
View the full program here
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Recent developments in personalised treatment that take a flexible, holistic approach which considers a person’s biology, mental health and life circumstances, have the potential to revolutionise care for people with eating disorders and acknowledge the complex nature of these debilitating illnesses.
The importance of co production, collaboration and inclusion was central to the discussions, presentations and connections that made for a lively and inspired two days at Think Tank 2025 where eating disorders specialists came together to advance science and understanding.
