‘Just unfair pressure’: The Voice debate puts First Nations peoples’ wellbeing at risk
Community feedback has revealed the Voice debate is putting extra strain on the mental health of Indigenous Australians. Here’s why.
When the Federal Government revealed the wording of the referendum question for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament earlier this year, the only emotion First Nations woman Jade* felt was concern.
On March 23, Anthony Albanese teared up as he delivered the wording of the referendum question and proposed constitutional amendment in an emotional press conference, following months of consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders.
“I’m here to change the country,” the Prime Minister told reporters. “We’ll feel better about ourselves if we just get this done.”
But Jade didn’t feel better, instead she told news.com.au the announcement made her feel anxious due to the Voice sharing “parallels to the marriage equality plebiscite”.
Dr Clinton Schultz, Director of First Nations Partnership and Strategy at the Black Dog Institute, agreed and said it’s not the referendum itself that’s impacting the welfare of the Indigenous community, rather the discussion surrounding it.
Jade is a 35-year-old Aboriginal woman who identifies as bisexual and explained seven years ago when campaigning started for Australians to vote on marriage equality that such discussion lead to an increase in homophobia.
She explained the Voice was imposing a similar situation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by “giving a platform to racism”.
“I do see just discussion around the Voice to Parliament is bringing out a lot of lateral violence and community violence as well as racist people when having their say on different Indigenous issues that pop up,” she said.
“Online, for instance, it might not even be about the Voice, it can just be something else that’s related to Indigenous Australians.”
Community feedback shared from the Black Dog Institute has highlighted such behaviour is putting the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations people at risk, which is why Jade and the not-for-profit medical research institute is calling on Australians to do better.
How the Voice is impacting the First Nations community
Dr Schultz, a Gomeroi man, holds concerns about the conversation surrounding the Voice, both in the past and the future as the referendum gets closer.
“I think that there’s been a lack of focus on the social and emotional wellbeing of mob at the centre of the discussions,” he told news.com.au.
“And the only people who are being damaged by that are the people who this entire process is supposed to be of benefit to and that’s us as First Nations peoples.”
One area of current discussion that’s bringing “undue psychological distress” to First Nations people is the fact that they’re constantly the centre of the conversation.
“I think there’s an overwhelming pressure being experienced by First Nations peoples to be expected to be experts on this whole discussion, this whole situation and that’s just unfair pressure,” Dr Schultz said.
“It’d be like asking any Australian to be completely knowledgeable about a piece of policy that any side of Parliament at whatever time decides to release, before it’s released.
“The reality is that as First Nations peoples we have the same no extra, no less – we have the same information about this entire process and what will come post the referendum as any other Australian does.
“So it’s very unfair to expect us to have more information, to have more of an awareness of what some of the implications, positive or negative, may be from the referendum when we just don’t have the information.”
From personal experience, Jade said such discussion can bring feelings of shame, anxiety and depression particularly for Indigenous teenagers.
“There’s been studies that say even small rises in racism have shown to have adverse impacts on wellbeing and … they’re saying (the referendum) is going to be four to six months away – having that kind of cultural load on you … places undue stress on out mental health and it can kind of lead to that burnout,” she said.
Dr Schultz added: “I think for a lot of young people, they’re feeling the pressure of not wanting to let the old people down but actually not knowing what to do with that.”
Another area of discussion impacting the Indigenous community is being asked whether they support the referendum, with some fearing the reaction they may receive if they vote no.
“You can have Indigenous people in the community that can question your Aboriginality in a way or they might kind of attack you for not being on the side of the yes vote,” Jade said.
“Personally, I’m still sitting on the fence and I think that the important part is that when it’s white allies that are talking about the Voice to Parliament, they should not assume that every single Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is considering a yes vote and be respectful in understanding the reasons why that may be across the spectrum of our people.”
How Australia can do better
With the referendum still at least three months away, Dr Schultz hopes discussion around the Voice will change and has offered a number of ways Australians can do this.
“I think the greatest thing that particularly non-Indigenous people can do on a day-to-day basis that will be of benefit to us as First Nations peoples is stop expecting us to have all the answers,” he said.
“Secondly, I think we need to support all First Nations peoples’ social and emotional wellbeing … so if we’re working with First Nations peoples, or we’ve got First Nations peoples in our families or in our friend groups, we need to be mindful of their wellbeing despite what side of the of the debate they may be sitting on.”
Finally, Dr Schultz is urging all Australians to educate themselves “as much as possible” and to come to a decision based on what is better for First Nations people.
“At the end of the day, this debate is about us as First Nations peoples even though the whole of Australia is getting to vote on this and I think that’s something that’s been lost from the dialogue as well,” he said.
“We’re 3 per cent of the population and our future in the hands once again of the other 97 per cent of the Australian population and that’s an uncomfortable position to be in as First Nations peoples.”
Jade added using the right terminology can also go a long way in helping First Nations people feel supported.
“I know there’s lots of people that are well meaning, but might be using terminology like ‘Our Indigenous people’, which is an ownership kind of terminology and is not very nice to use,” she said.
“We are a group of people but we all have our own different thoughts, feelings and worldviews.”
Jade also urged the government to consider allowing the entire First Nations community to vote in the referendum, noting those who have been incarcerated for more than three years are ineligible to vote.
“Just knowing that thousands of Indigenous people won’t be able to vote for the voice because of this situation is unacceptable,” she said.
Ultimately, Dr Schultz said no matter the outcome life will go on, and Australia will have to learn to live with its decision.
“I think it’s really important that we care for each other in this space, particularly as First Nations peoples,” he said.
“I think the most important thing that we can do is have each other’s backs, because despite a yes or no vote at the end of this, we’re all going to have to be able to move forward together.”
Aborginal and Torres Strait Islander people who require support are encouraged to call free and confidential counselling service 13Yarn on 13 92 76.
*Name changed for privacy reasons
‘Backwards’: Albo blasted over economy fears
Australia is at risk of taking “noticeable” steps backwards, with one business leader saying prominent CEOs are fearing the country is “losing” its way.
Joyce’s wild nuclear claim after earthquake
A wild claim from Barnaby Joyce about the future of a nuclear plant in the area where a 4.7 magnitude quake struck has led to a fiery exchange with a fellow panellist.
Fury over bombshell union bikie claim
The Coalition has seized on reports Anthony Albanese had been made aware of allegations the CFMEU had been infiltrated by organised crime links years before the current scandal.