Conversations

From the Pilbara to Perth and beyond — the Indigenous psychologist doing things differently

Oct 30, 2024

Dr. Tracy Westerman, a Nyamal woman and founder of the Westermundilia Institute for Indigenous Mental Health, is on a mission to improve mental health within Indigenous communities. She shares her journey from the Pilbara to becoming a clinical psychologist, highlighting the significance of cultural context in mental health care. Tracy discusses the establishment of a scholarship for Aboriginal student psychologists and the role of marathons in mental health, showcasing how physical activity can serve as a powerful coping mechanism.

53:00

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Dr Tracy Westerman

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Quick takeaways

Dr. Tracey Westerman’s personal journey from Useless Loop illustrates the challenges faced by Indigenous communities regarding mental health and suicide.

Through founding the Westermundilia Institute, Dr. Westerman prioritizes culturally competent mental health services tailored to the unique experiences of Aboriginal individuals.

The Indigenous Psychology Scholarship Program launched by Dr. Westerman aims to enhance Indigenous representation in mental health professions, addressing systemic healthcare failures.

Deep dives

Early Life and Educational Journey

Dr. Tracey Westerman shares her remarkable upbringing as a proud Nymal woman from Useless Loop and Tom Price, a mining town in Western Australia. She made history as the first person from Tom Price to attend university, despite facing challenges such as never having used public transport before. Her passion for psychology was fueled by a desire to provide practical mental health care to Aboriginal communities, addressing the profound effects of dispossession and trauma. Dr. Westerman eventually became the first Aboriginal person to complete a Master's and PhD in clinical psychology, laying the groundwork for her future endeavors in the field.

Intro

2min

Roots of Resilience

11min

From Pilbara to Psychology: A Journey of Understanding

10min

From Psychology to Pioneer: A Journey of Renovation and Resilience

11min

Healing Through Shared Pain

9min

Understanding 'Growling' in Aboriginal Community Engagement

2min

Empowering Indigenous Psychologists

4min

Running as a Lifeline: The Role of Marathons in Mental Health

4min

Dr Tracy Westerman grew up in the Pilbara, where suicide and mental health issues have deeply scarred Indigenous communities. So this Nyamal woman decided to do something about it.

Nyamal woman Tracy Westerman grew up in some of the most remote parts of Western Australia, moving from a station to a town called Useless Loop, eventually landing in the mining town of Tom Price.

Tracy, the daughter of an Aboriginal mother and a white father, became the first person educated entirely in Tom Price, from kindergarten to year 12, to go on to University.

When she arrived in Perth, she had never been on a bus or on an escalator, but she was fired up to study psychology.

Tracy wanted to use the skills she learned in the city to deliver practical mental health care to Aboriginal people, and to help entire communities reeling from the impact of suicide and other mental health issues.

Along the way to obtaining her doctorate, Tracy has become a businesswoman, the WA Australian of the year, and she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal.

Her next mission is to build an army of Indigenous psychologists to continue the work she's already started.

This episode of Conversations discusses mental health care, mental health struggles, First Nations mental health, remote communities, interracial relationships, psychology, university, PhD study, tertiary education, the Pilbara, Nyamal, traditional owners, Indigenous psychologist.