Title: A comparative case study on Indigenous Mental Health Policy: Australia and New Zealand Perspective.

Essay Plan

Title: A comparative case study on Indigenous Mental Health Policy: Australia and New Zealand Perspective.

Thesis statement: This essay will look at the mental health policies for Indigenous people in Australia and New Zealand and compare them. The goal is to find a country that better meets the needs of Indigenous people. The analysis will evaluate whether New Zealand is ahead of Australia in this area.

Introduction

A brief discussion on the significance of mental health.

Objective: Addressing the mental condition of the Aboriginal and Torres Islanders in Australia and Maori in New Zealand.

Historical Background: Brief history of Indigenous in Australia and New Zealand

Relevance: How do both policies serve the crucial issue of the mental health of Indigenous people?

1st Body Paragraph: Historical and Socio-Cultural Context of policies

Indigenous Populations and Historical Trauma: The Mori people in New Zealand and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia are the two main Indigenous groups in the two countries.

Land loss, cultural breakdown, and trauma passed down from generation to generation are all effects of colonization on the mental health of Indigenous people in both countries. Cultural identity, traumatic events in the past, and mental health outcomes are all connected.

Socio-Economic Disparities and Mental Health: Unemployment, poverty, and education are some of the socio-economic factors that make it harder for Indigenous people in both countries to take care of their mental health.

2nd Body Paragraph: Policy Frameworks and Approaches in New Zealand

New Zealand's Indigenous Mental Health Policy Framework: A Look at How the Country Handles Mental Health Issues Based on the Treaty of Waitangi and Being Bicultural.

Culturally Appropriate Care in New Zealand: Emphasis on Mori models of health.

3rd Body Paragraph: Policy Frameworks and Approaches in Australia

The National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing is one example of an Australian policy that looks at mental health issues for these groups.

Culturally Appropriate Care in Australia: Using Indigenous mental health workers and care models that are tailored to different cultures in mental health services while also being safe for those cultures.

4th Body Paragraph: Comparative Analysis

Policy Effectiveness: A Look at the Mental Health Outcomes for Indigenous People in Both Countries (Including Suicide Rates, Access to Mental Health Services, and Patient Satisfaction).

Cultural Integration and Community Engagement: How well do the policies of each country reflect Indigenous cultural values and include Indigenous leaders in planning and delivering mental health services?

Resource Allocation and Support: A look at how the governments of both countries fund, distribute, and build up mental health services for Indigenous people. Challenges and gaps in service provision, including accessibility for rural and remote communities.

5th Paragraph 5: Is New Zealand Better Than Australia?

New Zealands holistic, culturally-based models of care and the effects of Mori-led health initiatives are some of the things that make their approach strong. The success of New Zealands bicultural framework, which was required by *Te Tiriti o Waitangi*, in making sure that Mori people have a say and are represented in policymaking.

Australias Strong Points: The country is dedicated to long-term plans like Closing the Gap and incorporating mental health into more extensive programs for Indigenous health and well-being. - The scale and diversity of services available in Australia, though challenged by structural inequalities,

Key Comparative Insights: Based on current evidence, talk about whether New Zealands policies are better at meeting the mental health needs of Indigenous people.

Indicate areas where Australia could improve by copying some of New Zealands' methods or vice versa.

Conclusion:

Outline the main points of the comparison study and point out the good and bad points of each country's policies on Indigenous mental health.

Answer to the Thesis: Come to a conclusion about whether New Zealand's approach is better than Australia's at giving Indigenous people effective mental health care that is also culturally appropriate.

Further recommendations: Talk about how both countries can keep making their Indigenous mental health policies better, with a focus on integrating culture, giving communities more power, and reducing differences in mental health outcomes.

Peer Feedback on Essay Plan: A comparative case study on Indigenous Mental Health Policy:

Australia and New Zealand Perspective.

Presented by: ImranFeedback by: Shaktika Malhotra

Your essay plan seems well structured and organised. The choice of your topic is great and relevant in todays time. Going through the headings of your essay, I feel it covers most areas. However, to begin with I feel, in the introduction, while you mention the historical context of Indigenous mental health, you may include more details about the long-term effects of colonialism on mental health, which would strengthen your introduction. It could frame the analysis in terms of intergenerational trauma and structural inequalities that persist in both countries. You may also consider adding a brief mention of why comparing these two specific countries is significant for example, similar colonial histories, yet differing political approaches to Indigenous rights. In Historical and Socio-Cultural context, you may consider adding a clearer distinction between how colonization affected Indigenous populations differently in each country and explain how Australias policies of assimilation, compared to New Zealands Treaty of Waitangi and the later inclusion of Mori rights, created varied socio-political dynamics that influenced mental health approaches. In Policy Framework across New Zealand, it may be helpful to expand on New Zealands bicultural approach. While you mention the Treaty of Waitangi, providing specific examples of how this treaty has shaped mental health services, such as Mori involvement in policymaking or distinct Mori models like Te Whare Tapa Wh, would offer deeper insight. While explaining Policy Framework across Australia, it will be insightful to mention the National Strategic Framework is a good start, but it would benefit from more examples. You could elaborate on specific programs under Closing the Gap that focus on mental health, as well as criticisms about the effectiveness of these policies. While drawing Comparative Analysis, include quantitative analysis to support the arguments. For instance, include data on mental health outcomes like suicide rates, depression, or access to care for Indigenous populations in both countries. Further, mentioning the role of Indigenous leadership in policymaking would enrich this comparison. In the subheading Is New Zealand Better than Australia consider adding a more critical take on how "bicultural" frameworks sometimes risk oversimplifying the needs of diverse Indigenous communities, which may still not fully address mental health gaps. While concluding, highlight the potential for cross-learning between the two nations, which would open avenues for future research and policy development.

Overall, you have made a good essay plan, which is well structured and covers most details. Hoping this feedback helps you improve your essay further.