About this topic
Mental health is affected by a complex combination of health risk factors, access to and use of health services, environmental factors, and an individual’s own health capabilities. Systemic differences in these factors are associated with socioeconomic position—both for individuals and groups—including differences in education, employment and income (AIHW 2020). Access to appropriate education and employment is fundamental to strengthening the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities (Dudgeon et al. 2017) and to good mental health (Shepherd et al. 2012).
Connection to mind, emotions and community
Connection to mind and emotions, and connection to community, are 2 of the 7 domains of social and emotional wellbeing for Indigenous Australians.
Social and emotional wellbeing is a holistic way of looking at relationships between individuals, family, kin and community in the context of land, culture, spirituality and ancestry. Cultural groups and individuals each have their own interpretation of social and emotional wellbeing (Gee et al. 2014).
Education and employment opportunities can enhance a person’s connection to mind and emotions, as well as their connection to community (PM&C 2017).
Education
Education can provide a foundation that enables knowledge of health behaviours and determinants, stable employment, financial security, and social connections (ABS 2011; Biddle & Cameron 2012; Hart et al. 2017). Indigenous Australians who complete Year 12 or higher are more likely to be employed (Shirodkar et al. 2018; Venn 2018), which is consistent with the general Australian population (ABS 2019).
Mainstream formal education can be challenging for Indigenous families. Indigenous families can feel alienated by culturally inappropriate practices. For example, the mainstream education system may not recognise child autonomy in the same way as Aboriginal caregivers, nor recognise the cultural competence that Indigenous children bring to school (Walker et al. 2014). Experiences of discrimination, racism and harassment at school can lead to marginalisation and social exclusion (Dudgeon et al. 2014). Absenteeism may be used as a protective mechanism against feelings of shame or anxiety. Infrequent school attendance can impact on learning, as well as the delivery of prevention programs aiming to support children through behavioural and emotional problems (Walker et al. 2014).
Creating opportunities for participation, social connection and a sense of belonging can encourage school attendance and address behavioural and emotional problems (Walker et al. 2014). Under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Agreement, the Council of Australian Governments committed to 16 targets, 4 of which are related to education (PM&C 2020a).
Closing the Gap targets for education:
- Ensure that 95% of all Indigenous children are enrolled in early childhood education by 2025. In 2018, the proportion was 85%. The Closing the Gap Report 2020 states that this target is on track.
- Ensure that 96% of Indigenous Australians age 20–24 attain year 12 or equivalent qualification by 2031. From 2008 to 2018–19, the proportion increased from 45% to 66%.
- Ensure that 70% of Indigenous Australians aged 25–34 years have completed a tertiary (Certificate III and above) qualification by 2031. In 2016, the proportion was 42%.
- Ensure that 67% of Indigenous young people (15–24 years) are in employment, education or training by 2031. In 2016, the proportion was 57%.
Sources: COAG 2020; PM&C 2020b
Education outcomes for Indigenous Australians are affected by access and participation in education, family and community engagement, home learning environments, the availability of mentors and culturally inclusive support strategies (Productivity Commission 2016).
Employment
Jobs provide opportunities for financial security, self-determination, stable housing and improved social and emotional wellbeing (PM&C 2019). Employment satisfaction and stress can have substantial impact on a person’s wellbeing (Wilkins & Lass 2018). Stressors such as job insecurity and job loss have been linked to psychological distress (ABS 2011). These factors may also be linked to other stressors such as serious illness, disability, inadequate housing, inaccessibility of reliable utilities, overcrowding, exposure to violence including family and domestic violence, substance misuse, incarceration, and interpersonal and institutional racism (AIHW & NIAA 2020).
Institutional racism and historical exclusion of Indigenous Australians can reduce participation in education, training and the national economy. These factors are associated with a range of adverse health conditions, such as stress, mental health problems and attempted suicide (Nguyen & Cairney 2013).
One of the original Closing the Gap targets, set by the Council of Australian Governments, was to halve the gap in employment between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians between 2008 and 2018. This target was not met. The new National Agreement on Closing the Gap’s target for employment is to increase the proportion of Indigenous Australians aged 25–64 who are employed to 62% by 2031. According to the Closing the Gap Information Repository, the proportion of Indigenous Australians aged 25–64 who were employed increased from 43% in 1991 to 51% in 2016.
Employment for Indigenous Australians may be increased by:
- increasing skill levels
- pre-employment assessment and training
- intensive assistance for jobseekers
- non-standard recruitment strategies
- support for retention
- wage subsidies
- Indigenous employment goals in government programs
- policies that support Indigenous skills required for available jobs (Gray & Hunter 2016; Gray et al. 2012).
Although increasing employment can address economic disadvantage, conventional measures of employment ignore the positive wellbeing aspects of cultural engagement. Reporting frameworks should recognise that different cultures may have different constructs of employment and work (Carson et al. 2007; Dockery 2010).
Key statistics
The information presented above is from survey data. Estimates are calculated using a sample selected from a population rather than all members of that population. See the downloadable excel workbook for notes related to this data and for alternative text.
In 2014–15, self-reported survey responses of Indigenous Australians aged 15 years and over with a mental health condition showed that:
- 40% were employed full time, compared with 50% of those with no long-term health condition
- 12.6% were unemployed, compared to 15.7% of those with no long-term health condition
- 47% had a Year 12 or higher qualification, compared with 41% of those with no long-term health condition
- 21% were currently studying, compared to 26% of those with no long-term health condition (ABS 2016).
In 2018–19, 42% (20,610) of unemployed Indigenous Australians aged 15–64, reported high or very high levels of psychological distress, compared with 22% (48,960) of those who were employed (AIHW & NIAA 2020).
The Australians Early Development Census (AEDC 2019a) measures 5 important domains of early childhood development:
- physical health and wellbeing
- social competence
- emotional maturity
- language and cognitive skills (school-based).
In 2018, Indigenous children were more likely than non-Indigenous children (41% compared with 20%, respectively) to report developmental vulnerability for 1 or more of these domains (AEDC 2019b).