Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Indigenous Website Project
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrist (RANZCP) developed a website, with funding from beyondblue (www.indigenous.ranzcp.org), that provides mental health professionals with information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health issues. The design of the website is to improve life outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through acknowledgement of the importance of good mental health to overall positive health outcomes.

The website is managed by the RANZCP and is accessible to members of the general public as well as mental health professionals. It is an interactive and flexible website with reading materials including guidelines, key issues, resources and seven case study training modules that cover a range of mental heath issues across the lifespan addressing various fields of practice.

Case studies
The case studies explore various aspects of social and emotional well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and include the following topics:

• Treating psychosis from alcohol and substance abuse;
• Use of narrative therapy;
• Involving family members in problem solving;
• Understanding Indigenous homelessness; and
• Impact of traditional practices on mental health

Guidelines
The guidelines available on the website cover issues such as:

• Working with communities
• Reciprocity and Responsibility
• Respect
• Working with individuals - The working with individuals section of the guidelines provides a practical overview of details from initial introductions, effective communication, assessment, diagnosis and management.

Key Issues
Several key issues have been highlighted to assist practitioners in understanding some of the broader issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s mental health. They include:

• The impact of policy and legislation
• The Stolen Generation
• Health and mental health morbidity
• Social determinants
• Substance use
• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workforce

Resources
The resources section of the website includes links to a number of mental health and Indigenous health organisation websites for further information.