Quilts to provide comfort and care for our First Nations consumers

Proud Gunnai woman Aunty Marlene Scerri has been quilting for 25 years, working tirelessly to provide quilts to health services, including St Vincent’s Hospital, through the Cancer Council, and now the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Her works are also on display at the National Gallery of Victoria, Paris and Germany. Aunty Marlene's six quilts were commissioned by RMH Mental Health Services for display in a range of locations to support cultural safety and to create a welcoming environment.

According to the AIHW, Mental and substance use disorders are the leading cause of total disease burden for First Nations people.

Twenty-one per cent of First Nations people with a diagnosed mental health condition avoided situations due to their past negative experiences at health services compared with 10% without a diagnosed mental health condition.

This contributes to poorer health outcomes.

The RMH Mental Health Services General Manager Gail Bradley said the quilts are crucial in providing a safe environment for First Nations consumers.

"We know how incredibly important it is to create a welcoming, culturally safe environment for our First Nations consumers," Gail said.

"Our First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing team and their work has been critical in achieving a safe space for First Nations peoples and increasing their engagement with our services, as demonstrated by more First Nations consumers accessing the service each year.”

First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing Project Officer Erin Alexander said the quilts will help break down barriers to care for First Nations peoples.

"Aunty Marlene’s quilts will provide a bit of familiar comfort to mental health consumers in what can be a challenging environment for mob," Erin said.

"It’s just one way we’re making mob feel more at home so we can provide the best care."