day twenty six - what’s in a date?
Whilst there may be a few of you wondering why I’m questioning what’s on the inside of the delicious fruit from the Phoenix dactylifera, or Date Palms originating in Egypt and Mesopotamia (ok… that was optimistic. Realistically, that’s probably only ever going to have been me), this post is about something more pressing, with far wider reaching effects on our society,
There are huge culture clashes about Australia’s national day, and the divides have wide ranging effects throughout the country, particularly on mental health. Most people have an opinion about it, and if you hadn’t already guessed, I’m about to share mine - but before I do, here are some statistics, reports and facts that inform this opinion.
“Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data reveals the Indigenous suicide rate is twice that of the broader community: 25.5 suicide deaths per 100,000 Indigenous people compared to 12.5 per 100,000 people for non-Indigenous Australians.”
“Suicide was the leading cause of death among five to 17-year-old Indigenous children in 2015 and among those aged 15-34 between 2011 and 2015.”
“A lack of mental health support services in rural and regional areas compounded by a lack of culturally relevant early intervention programs contributes to higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide among members of our Indigenous community.”
It’s time to Close the Gap on Indigenous mental health inequality
“Indigenous men and women are hospitalised for ‘mental and behavioural disorders’ at 2.0 and 1.5 times the rate, respectively, of their non‐Indigenous peers”
“…although health practitioners and those committed to the mental health needs of Indigenous residents of rural and remote Australia should be cognizant of, and willing to challenge underlying social disadvantage and injustice, it is important to avoid being immobilised by the task of social change. As Leonard Syme aptly points out: ‘If we really want to change the world we may have to begin in more modest but practical ways.[1]”
Professor Ernest Hunter, North Queensland Clinical School, University of Queensland
Sadly, there are seemingly countless articles like this, but the thread is a common one. The First Nations people of this land are suffering from mental health issues and suicide at a far greater rate than the non-aboriginal population.
Today marks 232 years since Captain Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack in Sydney Cove and the official declaration of British sovereignty on the land that would become Australia. Over that time, First Nations peoples from have survived and endured, genocide, the Frontier Wars, the Stolen Generation, the loss of culture and many languages, oppression, injustice, racism, discrimination, and so much more. It’s only 53 years since the Constitution changed to count Aboriginal people as citizens.
Australia Day however, has only been on the 26th of January since 1988 and a public holiday since 1994.
None of that is heresy or conjecture, it’s all fact.
To me, it seems blatantly obvious that all these factors play a tremendously important role in understanding why these statistics are so high, why many of us need to be more active, empathetic and compassionate, less stubborn, and why celebrating on the 26th of January would at the very, very least feel, (pardon the expression), like an annual kick in the balls and a sign that change isn’t coming.
There is so much to be done in this sphere, but one “more modest and practical way” that we can all help to achieve this, is to change the date to one which is inclusive, respectful, and one in which all Australians, both First Nations people, and immigrants or their descendants (cause there’s really no other kind) can come together and celebrate.
Perhaps, like in New Zealand, it could be held on the day that we finally have a treaty with First Nations People, and by doing these simple, yet significant steps forward, perhaps we could go a long way to help the mental health crisis we face in this country.
Kilt of the Day - Black Watch Tartan
Soundtrack of the day - Djolin - Dr G Yunupingu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8M_IO5Cwz4
Link of the Day - Australians Together - What’s the fuss about January 26th?
https://australianstogether.org.au/discover/australian-history/australia-day/
