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HPS209 AT2: Essay
Topic: Case study of an Aboriginal person: information for health professionals to manage
her social and emotional wellbeing using an interdisciplinary, culturally relevant
framework.
Worth: 40%
Word limit: 1,500 words
Due date: 8pm, 5th May 2022
Submission: via the Dropbox on CloudDeakin

Assignment information
You are presented with the case study of Natalie, an Aboriginal woman who is 43 years old
who presented with a range of symptoms and issues. She requires a care plan to enhance
her physical, social, and emotional wellbeing in a holistic manner. Your task is to examine
the details of the case study and then provide a care plan for health professionals to assist
her using an interdisciplinary, culturally appropriate approach. As part of the care plan, you
will need to address the following points in your essay:
1. Explain the mental and physical health needs of Natalie.
2. Explain the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in the care of Natalie.
Provide details of each domain within the Bio-Psycho-Socio-Cultural-Spiritual model
and how they relate to Natalie’s case.
3. Explain the different agencies/team members who should be involved to ensure
Natalie gets the required professional and culturally relevant support.
4. In conclusion, summarise how the holistic approach will help address Natalie’s
physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.
Case study
Natalie presented at an Aboriginal women’s refuge centre with the following history:
• She had been forcibly removed from her Aboriginal family as a child and raised by a non-
Indigenous family.
• She suffered racism and felt alienated in the family and at school.
• She had been through a 20-year period of alcoholism.
• She had lived with a non-Indigenous husband who was violent and abusive.
She presented with the following symptoms and issues:
• She was homeless and unemployed.
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• She was occasionally seeing her violent husband.
• She had managed to stop drinking and was in reasonably good physical health.
• She displayed complex symptoms of psychological distress including grief and loss,
sadness and low mood.
• She indicated she heard the voices of her ancestors.

Resource
You are only required to use this resource to write the essay:
Schulz, C., Walker, R., Bessarab, D., McMillan, F., MacLeod, J., & Marriott, R. (2014).
Interdisciplinary care to enhance mental health and social and emotional wellbeing. In
Dudgeon, P., Milroy, H., & Walker, R. (Eds.), Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice (pp. 221-242). Canberra:
Commonwealth of Australia.
https://www.telethonkids.org.au/globalassets/media/documents/aboriginal-
health/working-together-second-edition/wt-part-3-chapt-13-final.pdf