Improving mental health care for Indigenous Australians

Improving mental health care for Indigenous Australians

We caught up with AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship Winner Destiny Kynuna last month to discuss her career transition from nursing to medicine and the importance of developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors to improve health outcomes for Australia’s First Nations people.

Calling from her mobile at Sydney Airport, Destiny Kynuna was clearly excited to board her plane bound for Far North Queensland to visit her family for the Christmas holidays in December 2021.

“I haven’t been home in more than two years,” she explained.

A proud Koko-bera and Wunumara woman from Yarrabah, 50kms east of Cairns, Ms Kynuna was returning home for a few short weeks before returning to Sydney where she is studying medicine at the University of NSW, while simultaneously working as a psychiatric nurse at St Vincent’s hospital.

Ms Kynuna was recently awarded the AMA’s Indigenous Medical Scholarship by AMA (NSW) President, Dr Danielle McMullen, on behalf of AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid.

“Destiny’s commitment to combining culture and care really shines through and she has already contributed a great deal through her nursing and natural affinity connecting with people,” Dr Khorshid said.

While a career in healthcare was always her goal, Ms Kynuna initially pursued nursing because it seemed more attainable.

“Growing up in an Aboriginal community, Yarrabah, where high school only went to year 10 before having to travel almost two hours a day to the nearest school or going to boarding school, there were barely any university graduates from my community and zero from my own family, I doubted myself and thought that studying medicine was beyond my reach,” she said.

Inspired by her grandfather, Ms Kynuna pursued a career in nursing. She initially worked in renal with a goal of returning to Yarrabah to help decrease the burden of kidney disease in the community – however, she did not feel fulfilled.

“I loved nursing, but I felt I could do more,” she said. With support of her nursing advisors and community, Ms Kynuna decided to train in medicine. Now halfway through her degree, she is working as a nurse in psychiatry and would like to specialise in the field after she graduates medicine.

“From my early childhood experiences where my grandfather taught us the importance to balance culture and education, I have felt the need to recognise the importance of identity and culture within many Aboriginal clients whom I have looked after. 

“Seeing my people overrepresented within the mental health system has further fuelled my passion to become someone who can make a difference.”

Ms Kynuna’s great, great grandfather was taken from his family at age 13 to Yarrabah, then an Anglican mission. She says each generation in her family has experienced suffering and trauma, down to her immediate family. 

“There has been alcohol and drug issues in the generations and my first cousin’s children were taken from family and community put into a foster home – so that cycle is never ending.  

“There’s definitely room for improvement for the mental health of the community and that’s why I’m so passionate about psychiatry.”

Ms Kynuna has witnessed how important it is to be able to provide culturally appropriate care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“As the only Aboriginal nurse in my mental health unit, I’m often asked to de-escalate Aboriginal clients. One of the first questions I ask clients is ‘who’s your mob’?”

Research has shown there are improved health outcomes for Indigenous Australians when they are cared for by Indigenous health workers, as well as increased levels of trust, connection and rapport.

“I think it’s really important,” Ms Kynuna says. “My nieces and nephews get really excited when they see a black nurse. They feel they can talk to them. I’ve also noticed they are more comfortable at the Aboriginal Medical Services compared to Cairns Base Hospital.”

After achieving her degree and finishing her training, Ms Kynuna plans on returning to Queensland.

“The AMA scholarship has really helped me balance work and study, allowing me to keep focused on my goals. I’m so grateful for the life I’ve been blessed with and that’s why I want to make a difference. I want to go back home and serve my community and ultimately help them to heal,” Ms Kynuna said.

The AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship was established in 1994 to contribute to the growth of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical workforce and support First Nations people who are studying a medical degree at an Australian university.

“At the end of 2019, there were just over 600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait doctors in the medical workforce, but you could almost count the number of Indigenous psychiatrists on one hand across the whole of Australia,” Dr Khorshid said.

“Even one person like Destiny can make a big difference to the mental health of a community, because we know Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients do better when they are treated in culturally appropriate settings, with doctors and other healthcare staff who speak their language, understand their culture, and are sensitive to their needs.

“The AMA’s Indigenous Medical Scholarship is part of our efforts to grow the Indigenous medical workforce, but much more is needed to provide the culturally appropriate care that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians need and deserve,” Dr Khorshid said.

The Scholarship is awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students who demonstrate a commitment to their community and to medicine, and who may not have the financial means to realise their dream.

The value of the Scholarship is currently $10,000 per annum, which is awarded for the full course of a medical degree, subject to the Conditions of Award.

Applications for the 2022 scholarship are open, and close on 18 February 2022. 

More information about the scholarship can be found at ama.com.au.