Final Report: Clinical Evaluation of the Wandi Nerida Residential Care Facility

It was not possible to explore Indigenous peoples' experiences at Wandi Nerida due to very low self-identification. As in other research, the low numbers are likely due to reluctance to disclose following known historical injustices and power imbalances. We recommend that one way to mitigate this potential problem in the future is to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workers in clinical and research settings that enable Indigenous peoples to feel safe to share their stories. Overall the staff at Wandi Nerida were positive about the program. Those with Lived Experience expertise perceived they were highly valued by residents and other staff and there was a high level of the use of their expertise in the program. open text responses indicated a positive attitude towards the Wandi Nerida program. Staff perceived the program to be a holistic treatment program that treated participants with care and respect within a treatment non-negotiable framework.