24/7 help line opens for Aboriginal men
Dardi Munwurro has transformed its services to digital in a bid to address the need for immediate help during and beyond the coronavirus pandemic.
Dardi Munwurro, which delivers a range of family violence, healing and behaviour change programs and services to Aboriginal families and communities, now has a 24/7 Aboriginal men’s crisis line.
The organisation is encouraging men to reach out when they need support and call Dardi Munwurro Crisis Line on 1800 435 799.
“We all feel the stress at these trying times,” says former AFL champion Chris Johnson on the group’s Facebook page.
“So if you want to be a deadly family man, a deadly community man or just a deadly man in general, then don’t escalate family violence."
Based in Preston, Victoria, with offices throughout the state, Dardi Munwurro staff will take it in turn to man the phone lines.
Meanwhile, NACCHO, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, has been active in promoting healthy messaging to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus in its communities.
NACCHO has developed a range of social media graphics, encouraging the use of specific hashtags:
- #OurjobProtectOurMob
- #AboriginalHealthinAboriginalHands
- #StoptheSpread
- #KeepOurMobSafe
In its most recent news update about COVID-19, NACCHO shares a media release from Federal Health Minister’s office stating that $3.3 million will be invested in establishing a ‘Remote Point of Care Testing Program’ for rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“Under the program, people will benefit from testing times being cut to around 45 minutes. This will be a game-changing improvement for areas such as the Kimberley where receiving a test result can currently take up to 10 days,” says Greg Hunt’s release on April 16.
“Once fully rolled out, there will be 83 testing sites in place across Indigenous communities most at risk, and most in need.”
“Sadly, Indigenous Australians are more likely to suffer from a serious illness if they contract COVID-19,” said Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt.
“There are higher rates of chronic conditions and other health issues in these communities and it can be hard to access health care,” Minister Wyatt said
“This means that an outbreak of COVID-19 in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community has the potential to be very serious. This testing program will help protect Indigenous Australians against the virus.”
TAKE ACTION FOR MEN'S HEALTH
Download NACCHO's COVID-19 resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities