As rural mental health practitioners, there is a need to be a generalist and know a little bit about a lot of things. Sometimes however it can be helpful to collaborate with other professionals in the care of our consumers. Through this series join Dr Dayle Raftery, clinical psychologist and research associate at The Peregrine Centre, as she talks to eight different practitioners working in mental health across rural NSW.In this episode, Dayle is joined by Desley McKellar, an Aboriginal Mental Health Clinical Leader in Far West NSW. Desley has connections to the Budjiti tribe and the Kurnu tribe which is a part of the Barkandji nation.

It is well recognised that Western models of mental health are not always a good fit for First Nations peoples. Aboriginal Mental Health Clinicians are uniquely positioned to support First Nations people with mental health difficulties in culturally responsive and appropriate ways, while also advocating within the Western mental health system.  Desley discusses the importance of knowing and working with the community, balancing the personal and professional, and the privilege she experiences of getting to do this work.