Centre for Remote Health’s Professor Tim Carey and Tanja Hirvonen visited Tiwi Islands in December 2016 to meet with Aboriginal Health Practitioners and team leaders to discuss mental health/wellbeing and self–care learning needs.

This forms part of research about whether the development of training for Aboriginal health Practitioners (AHP) is needed, to enhance the good work they are currently performing.

The discussions confirmed that future training would provide significant benefits for the AHP workforce, in particular the remote AHP workforce.  The Centre for Remote Health is very interested in upskilling AHPS’s in Mental health and self-care as it is felt that this will also have great benefits in retaining this cohort and their longevity in Aboriginal Primary Heath care.

This most recent trip was very encouraging and it is hoped that this is the beginning of enhancing relationships with the North of Australia.