Higher Education

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:16): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills a question about a new mental health and cultural resource.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.T. NGO: Higher education institutions are constantly striving to enhance learning and teaching experiences for their students. My question is: can the minister tell the house about the development of a new mental health resource led by Flinders University?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:16): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I was delighted last week during Mental Health Week to be able to officially launch a new mental health and cultural resource for undergraduate students focusing on the complex issue of the interplay between mental health and culture.

A Flinders University project called 'Reshaping curricula: integrating culturally diverse/mental health online content to prepare work ready health professionals' addresses the vital aspect of providing to students a more nuanced and personalised experience when dealing with people often well outside of their own experience.

I was particularly pleased to be able participate in this project, having formerly been the mental health minister and also being the Minister for the Status of Women, given that there are actually a lot of female workers in this area, and also because it just happens that the person leading this important project, Professor Eimear Muir-Cochrane, who is the Chair of Nursing (Mental Health Nursing) Flinders University, actually did some work with me many years ago when I was secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation. I was very pleased to be able to connect with her again.

It is a two-year project that is being funded by the Office for Learning and Teaching, which is set up to promote and support change in higher education institutions for the enhancement of learning and teaching. It is a national first. Its groundbreaking teaching and learning materials were developed by Flinders University and, as I said, the project is led by Professor Eimear Muir-Cochrane Chair of Nursing (Mental Health Nursing) Flinders University School of Nursing and Midwifery, along with a comprehensive team of staff and academics from across partner universities.

Close collaboration with community stakeholders has ensured that the resources are culturally appropriate and relevant. The resources bring together two complex social issues—mental health and culture—and examines the interplay of these issues, something that has not been done in undergraduate curricula before. In fact, it's really wonderful material and very easy to navigate through. I only wish that when I was a student of nursing that I had had access to such a wonderful learning program.

These media-rich online resources specifically focus on mental health and wellbeing for people from Indigenous and migrant cultural groups. By reshaping current curricula through online content and detailed stories which form the core focus of the resource it is hoped that students will better understand the negative impacts that stereotyping and stigma have on people with mental health issues, and help to prepare work-ready health professionals.

As a former nurse I certainly know and understand how important it is to listen to your patient, to try to walk in their shoes and try to look at the world through their eyes. Being able to really sit down and listen to someone is vitally important in creating empathy, trust and communication which are all a critical part of the therapeutic environment and healing.

While we quite rightly celebrate the rich blend of cultures that is modern Australia, it is a sad fact that mental illness is also part of modern Australia. Mental health issues can affect all people regardless of age, culture or social background. Ensuring that our future health professionals understand the interplay between mental health and culture and are equipped with the practical knowledge and skills to be able to effectively respond is an important way forward—and that is why these resources are so significant.

I would like to again take this opportunity to commend this resource and the work of Professor Muir-Cochrane and other university partners who have contributed to its development. It is an impressive project and it is a great credit to all those involved.