Improving mental health awareness among rural Aboriginal men: perspectives from Gippsland

OBJECTIVE: To identify views of Aboriginal people in rural areas about improving mental health awareness among Aboriginal men. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 Aboriginal people, including men, carers and health workers. RESULTS: Participants highlighted the need for mental health awareness programs in the community. They described the type of programs to be conducted as well as their method, content and frequency. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that mental health awareness programs designed specifically for rural Aboriginal men need to involve local Elders and other significant individuals from the community, be de-stigmatised by including mental health under Men's Health and by embedding the messages within a cultural framework.