Addressing Racism and Its Impact on First Nations Youth in Australia

Background

First Nations children and adolescents in Australia are living in a racially structured society that has negative effects on the mental health of young people and interferes with their cognitive functions causing intergenerational trauma. The perpetual parade of racism contributes to internalized shame, self-negativity and cultural estrangement resulting in their disconnection with their personal and communal identity (Ben et al., 2022). They also impact families and communities because racism distorts culture and tradition or even erodes social structures (Ben et al., 2022). However, racism can also have long-lasting consequences such as intergenerational continuity of disadvantage, social inequality, and ideological dominance of the dominant culture, which not only perpetuates a cycle of trauma, but denies welfare, education, and possibilities to First Nations people (Kairuz et al., 2021).

Emotional and Cognitive Outcomes Affected by Racism

There are severe consequences on the emotional and cognitive planes for the recipients of racism among First Nations youth. Racism induces individuals to be in a state of chronic anxiousness, sadness, and even PTSD because the daily exposure to stereotyped communication, and actions impacts their psychological health negatively. This can lead to a decrease in self-esteem, confidence, and relationships with peers, family, and culture leading to feelings of rejection and isolation among youths (Ben et al., 2022; Ben et al., 2023). Racism can also bring about feelings of paranoia because young people are forced to remain vigilant in potentially racist spaces. This may lead to or lower level of emotional intelligence, reduced emotional self-control and elevated stress levels (Taylor & Habibis, 2020). In addition, because negative stereotypes are endorsed and believed by the target group, developing doubts, shame and self-blame in addition to stress will ensue.

Racism can also affect cognitive development such as in the abilities of critical thinking, problem-solving and decision making. Racism entails a toll on the internal processes of the affected individuals to the extent that their cognitive ability to learn and excel is limited. This may lead to disengagement, lack of interest, and poor performance leading to such cycles of disadvantage (Jackson et al., 2022). Moreover, racism affects the brain and its capability and leads to physical changes as a result of the pressures that come with bias. Prolonged stress affects the structures in the brain involved in emotional regulation, memory consolidation, and executive functioning such as the amygdala, hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex respectively (Jackson et al., 2022; Coyne-Beasley et al., 2023). This may lead to reduced hardiness, flexibility, and capacity to handle stress. It can thus be concluded that racism has negative effects on both emotional and cognitive development, which in the long run restrain opportunities, potential, and well-being. Supportive healthy development that First Nations youth require to thrive can be considered possible only if the given racist systems and structures are dismantled, and culturally appropriate support services need to be put in place to break the adverse effect of racism (Efimoff & Starzyk, 2023).

First Nations Youth as the Vulnerable Population

Historical and cultural factors make First Nations youth generally more susceptible to racism and its effects than non-First Nations youth. In this context, the actions of colonization and forced assimilation have created discontinuity and intergenerational trauma in families and communities (Stelkia, 2023). Specifically, The Stolen Generations have been devastating to the Indigenous peoples, which Australian society has failed to recognise as they were forcibly removed from their families and culture, and had to suffer from emotional trauma, and the consequences are still reflected in the younger generations (Stelkia, 2023). First, young people living in rural or disadvantaged areas are disadvantaged by the fact that they live in areas that may not have the necessary resources, support services or culturally appropriate education. This can worsen the effects of racism and complicate any effort to overcome and deal with the stress and trauma of racism (Pilarinos et al., 2023).

Racism affects people through, personal encounters with racism, daily racist microaggressions, and racism in the form of harassment. A study by Kairuz et al. (2021) also identified how indirect cumulative racism through consuming content and being enveloped in racist attitudes, stereotyping, and bias through the media and ones social environment continues to be toxic and damaging to self-esteem and cultural identity. Internalized racism is even more dangerous, and it drives youth to shame, self-doubt and cultural stripping as they doubt their worth, identity and place within society. These pathways to adverse effects can bring about additive and synergistic effects on stress levels, anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. Studies further indicate that racism can also result in hypervigilance, emotional exhaustion, and erosion of emotional resources that may make it difficult for young people to manage the stress associated with the attainment of normal developmental tasks (Brooks et al., 2024). Knowledge of these pathways is necessary to create positive interventions that could help reduce racism's effects and foster healthier First Nations youth.

Two Implications of Not Addressing the Problem

Government Resources/Services

If racism is not tackled, it will result in the worsening of government services and resources it will be costly and of lower standard. When the mental and physical effects of racism intensify, the healthcare systems will be overwhelmed by increased utilization thereby putting pressure on the limited resources and expenses (Cooms et al., 2022). Likewise, education and departments working on social issues will have to seek more funding to support the victims of racism (individuals and families), which will take the focus off other important sectors (Ben et al., 2023). Additionally, other government interventions and policies concerning the improvement of social justice and social enlistment will also be diminished since funds will be channelled towards eradicating racism instead of dealing with its manifestations (Cooms et al., 2022).

Health and Well-Being

The combined effects of racism will result in an increased frequency of requirements for health and well-being services due to the effects of racism on peoples emotional, psychological, as well as physical well-being. The rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder will increase, necessitating more consultations with counsellors, therapists, and psychiatrists (Mbulaheni & Sobers, 2023). There will also be an increased prevalence of chronic illnesses since stress, poor diets and lack of adequate medical care cause diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory illnesses (Mbulaheni & Sobers, 2023). The prevalence of substance abuse will be on the rise because people will seek ways to help them cope with the trauma and pain. A series of health issues will further saturate these already overstretched facilities, undermining the quality, scope, and delivery of needed care and treatment. This will lead to longer wait times, restrictions on the use of services, and increased burnout of staff and HVs, thus worsening the crisis and perpetuating inequalities in health (Brooks et al., 2024).

Recommendations

1.The Deadly Thinking Program (Evidence-Based Approach)

Deadly Thinking is a culturally appropriate cognitive-behavioural therapy intervention implemented for First Nations youth with evidence support. This program lasts for 10 weeks and is facilitated by an Indigenous therapist with knowledge of the cultural and historical backgrounds of the participants (Rural & Remote Mental Health, 2024). Emotional regulation skills, coping strategies, and cultural connection are the three primary strategies that the program targets to enhance the lives of First Nations youth after experiencing either racism or trauma. It will be conducted during school terms with some of them more open to allow the program to go further afield in the community. It can be implemented through schools, community meeting centres and youth organizations within urban and regional facilities to make sure First Nations youth can get access to the intervention in different settings (RRMH, 2024).

Schools, health services, and indigenous organizations are responsible for creating and administering the program. It is an effective approach because it promotes cultural safety and relevance in delivering care. First Nations youths between the ages of 12 and 18 years constitute the target population and priority will be given to youths who have been victims of racism and or have undergone traumatic events. This process illustrates that by creating a protective facilitating environment for First Nations youth in a social justice paradigm, programs like Deadly Thinking can improve the students psychological well-being and their life chances (RRMH, 2024).

2.Awareness Campaign Racism Hurts Everyone (Ongoing Campaign)

The Racism Hurts Everyone campaign is a national anti-racism public education campaign that focuses on the toll racism takes on First Nations children and youth. Social media, schools, and community events are strategic partners used by the campaign to share success stories and statistics, as well as resources and messages in order to create empathy for those in similar situations (Dudgeon et al., 2023). It is an ongoing campaign and there is a special focus on special events like National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week (Dudgeon et al., 2023; TPHC, n.d.). This approach makes it possible to attain the best visibility and traffic on the website or page in question. To ensure that the campaign is comfortable with different cultures, the campaign will be a national campaign with localized messages and events.

A campaign idea and execution plan will be endorsed and launched by Indigenous groups, educational institutions, and healthcare services, ensuring that it is culturally acceptable and appropriate. Readers include the general public involving the broader Australian population including other ethnic groups apart from the First Nations people, educators and health care providers, who can potentially bring a positive change in the lives of the affected youth (Ben & Elias, 2024). Furthermore, it professes the humanity in the call, forcing the viewers to remember that racism is still a prevalent problem and that First Nations Youth have their voices heard and deserve to be heard.

Key Messages

Urgent Action is Needed

Racism alters the First Nations youths emotional and cognitive processing and leads to the worsening of symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD.

Cycles of Disadvantage

Racism results in a continuity of cycles of disadvantaging and thus consolidates health, education and socioeconomic marginalization in the First Nations population. Its exploitative effect can cause social disintegration, loss of cultural integrity, and reduced welfare in First Nations society, undermining its basics.

Impacts the Whole Community

Racism is not a personal issue but a societal issue that impacts families, communities and generations to come. It affects society, health and wellbeing services, and the government making it a social problem that needs to be solved by everyone.

Evidence-Based Approaches

Culturally tailored approaches, for example, the Deadly Thinking program and awareness-raising campaigns like the Racism Hurts Everyone suggest appropriate methods of handling racism effects. These strategies include focusing on cultural safety, partnerships, and participation; therefore, offering a structure to tackle systemic racism.

Collaborative Approaches

Indigenous organizations, schools, and health services need to actively engage in bringing together all the relevant stakeholders through a partnership model that fosters empathy, and more important, collective action towards eradicating racism.

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