Leading mental health campaigner and expert Professor Tricia Nagel from the Menzies School of Health Research has said the best way to work through feelings brought on by the Voice to Parliament Referendum is to “take time”.

“A lot of this is grief,” Professor Nagel told Koori Radio’s Lola Forester. “Create time out from busy lives; time with the people who are supportive to you. Time for reflection, time for healing.”

Australia voted No in Saturday’s referendum on whether or not to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament in the constitution.

Reports of the negative impact the campaign and its result have had on the mental health of First Nations People have flooded in, and Professor Nagel said at this time people need to think hard about what brings them good feelings and well-being.

“Create a safe space for yourself; reach out to the people who you know support your view and can help you to feel stronger, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself to recover too quickly”, Professor Nagel said.

Professor Nagel also said that people should reach out to healthcare and mental health services if they need to, which include local treatment services, GPs, as well as crisis services which include wellmob.org.au; calling 13YARN (13 92 76); Brother to Brother on 1800 435 799; Lifeline on 13 11 14; and Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

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