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Nova Peris
Senator Nova Peris has unveiled a new campaign by beyondblue highlighting the issue of racism. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP
Senator Nova Peris has unveiled a new campaign by beyondblue highlighting the issue of racism. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Racism causing mental health issues in Indigenous communities, survey shows

This article is more than 9 years old

Senator Nova Peris and Jeff Kennett join in campaign to combat depression and widespread racism experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Mental health advocate Jeff Kennett and former athlete Senator Nova Peris have unveiled a campaign to combat depression in the Indigenous community, saying racism is continuing to cause mental health issues for many Aboriginal people.

Kennett, the chairman of charity beyondblue, said a survey of more than 1,000 non-Indigenous Australians showed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continued to face widespread racism.

"This research shows that racism in Australia is still common and that many people engage in racist behaviour," he said.

"Racism, like any form of discrimination, leads to distress, which in turn can lead to depression and anxiety."

On Tuesday, the charity unveiled a new TV campaign highlighting the issue.

The chief executive of beyondblue, Georgie Harman, said many people did not realise when they were discriminating and did not understand the effect it could have on Indigenous people.

"This can be very damaging to their mental health," she said.

"The best way to reduce harm caused by subtle racism is to stop it, and if you see it happening, call it."

The survey found a third of Australians believed Indigenous Australians were "sometimes a bit lazy".

Almost one third believed Indigenous citizens should behave more like other Australians.

And more than 40% believed they were given unfair advantages by the government.

The survey results also showed one in five Australians would move away if an Indigenous Australian sat nearby, while one in 10 said they would tell a joke in the pub about an Indigenous Australian.

Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that Indigenous Australians are twice as likely to die by suicide as non-Indigenous Australians, and are almost three times more likely to experience psychological distress.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Multicultural Mental Health Australia or the Local Aboriginal Medical Service.

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