First stepOffer an Aboriginal mental health worker or liaison officer
Common mistakes
Avoid: Relying on a phone interpreter for a mental health interviewInstead: Book an on-site or video interpreter; Aboriginal Interpreting WA for Aboriginal languages.
Source: Language Services Guidelines · No current cultural review recorded
Avoid: Assuming English is the person's first languageInstead: Ask which language they are most comfortable in.
Source: Mental Health Act 2014 (WA): communication and cultural provisions (ss 6, 9, 50, 80, 81, 189 and Charter Principle 7) · No current cultural review recorded
Avoid: Deciding for the person who counts as familyInstead: Ask the person and family who should be involved.
Source: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy — Statement of intent (definition of cultural safety) · No current cultural review recorded