Media Journal/Portfolio

Title: Media Journal/Portfolio;

Length: 3000 words

APA 6th Style referencing system

 

Task: This assignment involves the collection and analysis of four (4) media (Newspaper articles, Editorials, Magazine articles, video clips with transcripts, online blogs and electronic articles) items on one current Indigenous health and well-being issue/topic. You are required to link this contemporary issue as presented in the media with heads such as;

1. Impact of historical, social and political processes on the health of indigenous people of Australia
2. Exploring the concepts of racism, power and health
3. Traditional and contemporary indigenous health care knowledge and practices

• Identify an Indigenous health issue from a social determinants of health approach (i.e. not only disease or illness –  for example the impact of racism)
• Collect 4 media items in a variety of forms   – this can include newspaper articles, editorials, magazine articles, video clips with transcripts,  onlineblogs and other electronic articles.
• The 4 media items also need to be from a variety of sources as much as possible – so not all 4 from the same source for example all from the SMH or the ABC.
• You must have either a hyper linked or attached copies to assignment. Summarise key issue(s) in the media items collected.
• Discuss how the media items might affect, contribute to or influence the current debate and discussion on the issue.
• Discuss your position and views on the issue as it presented and explore other perspectives.
• The sources will need to be local, interstate and possibly international. Utilise a variety of sources  in order to assess the breadth and depth of the issue. Using only one source  may result is a biased account of the issue.
• Please note: material including cartoons, posters, health promotion YouTubeclips, websites or academic journal articles and government publications are not media items unless they are discussed and cited as a media release or news item

 

Example plan (format)

 

Introduction; Background (context)

Thesis (purpose)

Outline (of purpose)

Body.

Media item 1;

• Chosen topic and why it is an Indigenous health issue
• Background
• Full reference and working link at beginning of each item
• Summary and analysis of key points in item
• How fits into unit overall and topics discussed or covered
• How media item contributes to the topic discussion or debate
• Personal reflection on the issue (either at the end of the analysis or after each media item)
• Summary and analysis
• How it links to topic covered
• How media item contributes to discussion of topic chosen
• Personal reflection

Same for Media 2-4

Conclusion;

Summary of main point from each media item

Link back to broader issue discussed

Reference list.

 

 

See example

 

Media Portfolio: The Impact of Colonisation for Indigenous Australians Relating to Mental Health and Suicide.

 

The impacts on the health, social, economic and cultural well-being of Indigenous Australians, caused by colonisation, has been well documented (Paradies, 2016). Furthermore, it is corroborated that determinants of health including biological, environmental, social and political determinants, are undeniably influenced by the devastating and ongoing impact of colonisation, of which has resulted in inequitable health for Indigenous Australians (Griffiths, Coleman, Lee & Madden, 2016).

 

Specifically, the severe impact of colonisation for Indigenous Australians relating to mental health and suicide is serious and requires urgent action. In light of this, this essay analyses four current Australian based media articles relating to mental health and suicide in correlation with the impact of colonisation. This essay summarises the key issues presented in each article, discusses links to unit modules, readings and current debate, as well as providing personal reflection on the issues presented.

 

Media Item 1:

Dudgeon, P., & Calma, T. (2016, March 18). A 10-year-old girl kills herself, and a nation asks: what can be done? The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/18/a-10-year-old-girl-kills-herselfand-a-nation-asks-what-can-be-done

 

Summary and Key Points

Following the devastating suicide of a 10 year old Indigenous child, this article highlights the critical statistics of suicide rates amongst Indigenous communities. Data presents that 15-24 year olds are dying by suicide at four times the non-Indigenous rate; and 1 – 14 year olds at nine times the non-Indigenous rate (Dudgeon & Calma, 2016).

 

Poverty, social exclusion and a deep and persistent disadvantage are catastrophic results from the impact of colonisation. Dudgeon and Calma (2016) explain that one in four Indigenous Australians suffers from high levels of psychological distress, which is three times higher than for non-Indigenous Australians. Stressful life events such as violence, racism, poor health or long term unemployment as well as factors such as the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol, present a great impact to the mental health and wellbeing for Indigenous Australians. Furthermore, for stolen generation survivors and their descendants, intergenerational trauma is reported as a major issue (Dudgeon & Calma, 2016).

 

This article outlines methods that have been tried and tested and found to be ineffective in closing the gap for Indigenous Australians in relation to their mental health wellbeing. Forced social engineering and the closing down of communities is reported to be a solution wrought with crisis for Indigenous Australians. Rather, a proactive and preventative approach is necessary by investing in communities with support services and enabling vulnerable communities to identify their needs and be actively involved in constructing culturally appropriate and suitable solutions (Dudgeon & Calma, 2016).

 

Additionally, it is crucial that developmental factors are addressed that can potentially predispose Indigenous children and young people to suicide. Through the identification of these developmental factors, possible proactive measures could be introduced. Possible measures range from a focus on healthy cognitive development from conception onwards, through to the provision of age and culturally appropriate school programs and strategies to reduce the contact of young people with the criminal justice system. Finally, this article outlines the necessity of Indigenous Australian communities having the same access to high quality clinical standards, treatments and support that is available for all Australians (Dudgeon & Calma, 2016).

 

Links to Models, Approaches and Current Debate As discussed in Module 2 Topic 1 (HSC203 learning materials, 2016), evidence advocates that colonialism was and remains a calamitous influential factor in the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. Furthermore, the impacts of colonisation can be linked both directly and indirectly to the disease and wellness states of Indigenous Australians today (Taylor & Guerin, 2014).

 

Anderson and Whyte (2006) outline that health care, whilst crucial for the improvement of health and wellbeing for Indigenous Australians; it is also vital that change occurs at a population level relating to social determinants of health. Furthermore, as per Module 3 Topic 1 (HSC203 learning materials, 2016), equality in health care access needs to coincide with the provision of culturally appropriate services that Indigenous Australians can feel safe and confident to engage in (Anderson & Whyte, 2006).

 

As examined in Module 4 Topic 2 (HSC203 learning materials, 2016), by utilising a strengths approach and partnership model to closing the gap, corresponds with the articles’ key theme of engaging with Indigenous communities to empower and enable them to develop culturally appropriate and required solutions (Darbyshire & Jackson, 2004). Through a commitment to understanding the strengths that lie within Indigenous individuals and communities, and working in partnership to harness those strengths, can pave the way to work towards positive action (Darbyshire & Jackson, 2004).

 

Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda of the Australian Human Rights Commission (2012), stresses the importance of empowering, enabling and supporting Indigenous communities to determine their own futures. Commissioner Gooda further notes that studies have shown disempowerment results in poor health and increased suicide rates. Importantly, Commissioner Gooda expresses that it is not a viable solution for foreign structures to be imported into Indigenous communities, rather culturally relevant and meaningful structures and approaches must be created with Indigenous leaders in the driving seat (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2012).

 

Reflection

This article provides confronting but vital data on the mental health and well-being for Indigenous Australians. Written by two Indigenous Australians, it is crucial that their knowledge and insight into solutions that are desperately needed to close the gap in inequality, are highlighted and respected. The impacts of colonisation as reported in this article, are highly complex and it is clear that healing and bridging the gap needs to be an Tracey Rankin s275299 HSC203, Sem2 2016 Page | 3 Assignment 3 – Media Portfolio ongoing, prioritised and respected journey. However, the main concept that should be taken from this article, is that it is crucial for Indigenous Australians to be empowered and enabled to take the lead in decision-making of how to travel this important journey.

 

Media item 2-4

 

Conclusion

It is clear that colonisation has had and continues to have a strong, devastating and overwhelming impact on the mental health and well-being for Indigenous Australians. History presents the loss of identity, culture and autonomy for Indigenous Australians and two decades of interference.

Media is vital as a way to generate awareness of the serious inequalities that Indigenous Australians continue to face. The disconnect between Indigenous culture and the Western biomedical structure is evident and presents an urgent challenge in order to close the health inequality gap.

Overall, one factor remains consistent, and that is the necessity of Indigenous Australians being at the centre of the process for change. Only through empowering and enabling Indigenous Australians to guide the journey will progress be made.

 

Ref.