In this episode of Psych Matters we hear about the ongoing journey of Australia’s first Indigenous doctor, Professor Helen Milroy, including the central importance of cultural competence for understanding and engaging with patients of all backgrounds. Professor Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Professor of Psychiatry and Chair in Child Mental Health at The University of Western Australia Medical School, and a Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission; as well as an author of a series of children’s books, among many other intellectual and artistic pursuits.

Dr Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, but was born and educated in Perth. Australia’s first Indigenous doctor, Helen studied medicine at the University of Western Australia and is currently Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UWA, Honorary Research Fellow at Telethon Kids Institute and a Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission. Helen was recently appointed as the AFL’s first indigenous commissioner. Wombat, Mudlark and Other Stories is her first book for children.

Dr Andrew Amos is an adult psychiatrist in Townsville, currently working on a PhD constructing a map of all the peer review psychiatric research published since the early 20th Century.

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