Tom Brideson is a Kamilaroi man from Gunnedah, New South Wales. He
has a Diploma in Health Science (Mental Health) and a Bachelor of
Arts (Welfare Studies) degree, and has worked as an Aboriginal
mental health professional in a clinical setting. Tom is an
Assistant Director of the Social Health Section within the Office
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and has an active
interest in national health policy development, emotional and
social wellbeing and mental health, and suicide prevention for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. He has been actively
involved with the Djirruwang Program since its inception in 1993,
and took leave during 2002–04 to become its project director
at Charles Sturt University. As director Tom was responsible for
coordinating the Djirruwang Program; he also co-authored with Len
Kanowski the ‘Clinical Handbook and Course Competency
Document’ incorporating the National Practice Standards for
students undertaking clinical placements as part of the course. Tom
wants to enrol in a PhD to investigate the impact of mental health
training on the Aboriginal community’s capacity to deal with
mental health issues—is training making a difference on the
ground?
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