Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Roadmap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Adolescent Health?
The Roadmap is a resource that will identify the most important health issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (aged 10-24 years) and what needs to happen to support them and improve their health and wellbeing. It will also identify gaps in knowledge and service access and delivery, so we know where more work is needed!
Why are you doing the Roadmap project?
One-third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are adolescents. We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people have health needs which are not always being met in the current health system. There is also no national strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, meaning many young people can’t get the services and support they need or want.
What are the benefits?
We will have the very first National Strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health!
This will mean communities, programs, health and wellbeing services and governments will be able to make decisions that are matched directly to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. We will also have a resource for identifying different strategies for responding to the differing health challenges facing young people.
Who can be involved?
We are interested in speaking with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 10-24 years. We are also keen to hear from health and wellbeing service providers, particularly those who work with young people, about their experiences and thoughts on adolescent health.
How do I join the Roadmap?
There are a few different ways you can get involved!
If you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young person between 10-24 years:
National survey – Our online survey is now open! Click here to participate
Focus group discussion – We will be hosting online focus groups across every state and territory! If you would like to be involved, you can submit your interest here.
Interviews – If speaking in a group of people isn’t your thing, we will be hosting individual interviews online! If you would like to be involved, you can submit your interest here.
If you are a health professional or adolescent service provider:
Focus group discussion – We will be online focus groups across every state and territory! If you would like to be involved, you can submit your interest here.
Interviews – If speaking in a group of people isn’t your thing, we will be individual interviews online! If you would like to be involved, you can submit your interest here.
For more information send us a message via the Enquiries page of this website or email us: Roadmap@sahmri.com
Do I need permission from my parents/family?
We encourage all young people to talk about the project with their parents and family members. If you are 10-14 years old, your parent or guardian will need to provide consent for you to take part in interviews for the project.
If you are 15 years or older, you can sign the consent yourself to participate in an interview or a focus group.
Young people aged 13 years and older can provide their own consent to take part in our survey.
Can I bring a parent or family member?
Yes! You are welcome to bring a support person to your focus group discussion or interview if you like.
Online Survey
Have your say on ways to improve the health of young people like you! An online survey is available to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 13-24 years. The survey is anonymous – no-one will know your answers – and takes about 5 minutes. After doing the survey you can enter a prize draw to win one of twenty $100 gift vouchers.
Focus Group Discussions
Focus group discussions will be held with small groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to find out what they think are their most important health issues and get ideas about ways to improve their health and wellbeing. If you choose to take part, we will get in touch to organise a suitable time. Focus group discussions will take place via video call (Eg. Zoom). The focus group will last approximately 1.5 – 2 hours and include a range of activities. You will receive a gift voucher to thank you for your time.
Register your interest here or send us a message via the Enquiries page if you are interested.
Interviews
Young people will be interviewed to find out what their most important health priorities and ideas about how to improve their health and wellbeing. If you choose to take part, we will get in touch to organise a suitable time to speak with you. Interviews will take place via phone or video call (Eg. Zoom). Interviews will last about 30-45 minutes. You will receive a gift voucher to thank you for your time.
Register your interest here or send us a message via the Enquiries page if you are interested.
Are there any risks to participants?
Some people may find talking about health issues and challenges uncomfortable or embarrassing. You do not need to answer any questions or talk about anything you don’t want to discuss. If you need to talk to someone, some support services are listed below.
What will happen to my answers or comments?
The survey is anonymous – no one will know who you are. Focus group discussions and interviews will be recorded and transcribed into written notes. Your name will not be included in written transcripts. Everyone’s answers will be combined and analysed. You will not be identified in any report or publication that results from this project.
Will participants be paid?
Survey participants can enter a prize draw to win one of 20 gift vouchers valued at $100 each. Young people involved in focus group discussions, interviews and online discussion will receive a gift voucher as a thanks for their time.
Who is leading this project?
This research is led by a team of adolescent health researchers and health professionals from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). The project has been funded by the NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council). For more info and to get to know the project team, check out the ‘Who we are’ page.
What if I have a complaint or concern about the project?
If you have any complaints about any aspect of the project, the way it is being conducted or any questions about being a research participant in general, then you may contact:
State | Ethics Committee | Telephone | Email address |
South Australia (SA) | Aboriginal Health Research Ethics Committee | (08) 8273 7200 | research@ahcsa.org.au |
Northern Territory (NT) | Menzies School of Health Research Ethics Committee | (08) 8946 8687 (08) 8946 8600 | ethics@menzies.edu.au |
Victoria (VIC) | St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne HREC | (03) 9231 6970 | research.ethics@svhm.org.au |
New South Wales (NSW) | Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council Ethics Committee | (02) 9212 4777 | ethics@ahmrc.org.au |
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | ACT Health HREC | (02) 6174 7968 (02) 5124 7968 | ethics@act.gov.au |
Tasmania (TAS) | University of Tasmania HREC | (03) 6226 6254 | human.ethics@utas.edu.au |
Western Australia (WA) | Western Australia Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee | (08) 9227 1631 | ethics@ahcwa.org |
Far North Queensland | Far North Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee | (07) 4226 5513 | |
Queensland | Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee | (07) 3735 2069 | research-ethics@griffith.edu.au |
How do I withdraw from (leave) the Roadmap Project?
If you consent (give permission) to take part in the Roadmap Project, you can withdraw (leave) the project at any time. To do this, you can either complete a “Withdrawal of Consent” form or simply let us know by getting in touch with us via email, telephone or through the enquiries page on the website.
Email: roadmap@sahmri.com
Telephone: (08) 8128 4273
What happens when the project ends?
Watch this
space! We will be developing different community and service resources as the
Roadmap progresses.
QUICK LINKS
CONTACT US
North Terrace, Adelaide 5000 South Australia
POSTAL ADDRESS
PO Box 11060, Adelaide 5001 South Australia
Ph: 08 8128 4273
ABN 54 141 228 346 | © SAHMRI 2022
