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Connection to... Addressing Digital Inequities in Supporting the Well-Being of Young Indigenous Australians in the Wake of COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Roz Walker

    (Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
    School of Indigenous Studies, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Kim Usher

    (Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
    School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia)

  • Debra Jackson

    (Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
    Susan Wakil School of Nursing, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Corinne Reid

    (Chancellory, Victoria University, Footscray, VIC 3011, Australia)

  • Katrina Hopkins

    (Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia)

  • Carrington Shepherd

    (Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
    Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia)

  • Reakeeta Smallwood

    (Susan Wakil School of Nursing, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
    School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia)

  • Rhonda Marriott

    (Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia)

Abstract

(1) Background: This article examines whether connection to digital technologies helps connect young Indigenous people in Australia to culture, community and country to support good mental health and well-being and protect against indirect and potentially long-term effects of COVID-19. (2) Method: We reviewed literature published between February and November 2020 and policy responses related to digital strategies. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, government policy websites and key Indigenous literature sources, identifying 3460 articles. Of these, 30 articles and 26 policy documents were included and analysed to identify existing and expected mental health outcomes among Indigenous young people associated with COVID-19 and more broadly. (3) Results: There are inequities in affordable access to digital technologies. Only 63% of Indigenous people have access to internet at home. Digital technologies and social media contribute to strong cultural identity, enhance connections to community and country and improve mental health and social and emotional well-being outcomes. (4) Discussion: Access to digital technologies can facilitate healing and cultural continuity, self-determination and empowerment for young people to thrive, not just survive, in the future. (5) Conclusion: More targeted policies and funding is urgently needed to promote digital technologies to enhance Indigenous young people’s access to mental health and well-being services, maintain cultural connections and evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives using Indigenous well-being indicators.

Suggested Citation

  • Roz Walker & Kim Usher & Debra Jackson & Corinne Reid & Katrina Hopkins & Carrington Shepherd & Reakeeta Smallwood & Rhonda Marriott, 2021. "Connection to... Addressing Digital Inequities in Supporting the Well-Being of Young Indigenous Australians in the Wake of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:2141-:d:503825
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katrina D Hopkins & Stephen R Zubrick & Catherine L Taylor, 2014. "Resilience amongst Australian Aboriginal Youth: An Ecological Analysis of Factors Associated with Psychosocial Functioning in High and Low Family Risk Contexts," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(7), pages 1-12, July.
    2. Kim Usher & Navjot Bhullar & Debra Jackson, 2020. "Life in the pandemic: Social isolation and mental health," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(15-16), pages 2756-2757, August.
    3. Katrina D Hopkins & Carrington C J Shepherd & Catherine L Taylor & Stephen R Zubrick, 2015. "Relationships between Psychosocial Resilience and Physical Health Status of Western Australian Urban Aboriginal Youth," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(12), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Steven Bond-Smith & Alan S Duncan & Daniel Kiely & Silvia Salazar, 2018. "Falling Through the Net: The Digital Divide in Western Australia," Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Report series FWA11, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School.
    5. Yin Paradies & Jehonathan Ben & Nida Denson & Amanuel Elias & Naomi Priest & Alex Pieterse & Arpana Gupta & Margaret Kelaher & Gilbert Gee, 2015. "Racism as a Determinant of Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-48, September.
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    3. Patricia Dudgeon & Jemma R. Collova & Kate Derry & Stewart Sutherland, 2023. "Lessons Learned during a Rapidly Evolving COVID-19 Pandemic: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-Led Mental Health and Wellbeing Responses Are Key," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, January.

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