Outreach choir

Indigenous Australians are five times more likely to
experience mental illness than the rest of the population – a
problem often exacerbated by their reluctance to seek help.

Now a new program’s been developed to tackle mental health
issues through song.

Queensland’s Aboriginal and Islander Health Council has set up
five community choirs to attack the symptoms of mental illness and
bring sufferers into contact with health professionals.

The scheme has been given a helping hand by Indigenous country
and western star Roger Knox, who himself overcame crippling
depression and an addiction to painkillers.

ROGER KNOX, MUSICIAN (sings): I’m a part of this land, My soul
is the sand, Nature is my mother, I am mother nature’s son…

In my culture, music is a form of healing. When there’s a
gathering, there’s a ceremony, there’s all that song and dance,
learning and healing.

(singing) # I am what I am… I am Aboriginal.

I am from the never never…