WICKD: The wellbeing intervention in End Stage Kidney Disease
$ 50.00
For Aboriginal people, kidney disease is not just the domain of the frail elderly, but a frequent malaise in middle age or younger. In remote communities, it affects people at the peak of their lives, often with young families and a life in front of them. It’s a much changed life, of course, tethered to thrice weekly dialysis, with the prospect of premature death hanging over their head.
Unfortunately, the remoteness of many Aboriginal homelands means that a life on dialysis is also a life lived away from kin and country. Dialysis centres are located in larger towns and cities, so to stay alive, Aboriginal patients are often forced to relocate.
On its own, end stage kidney disease (ESKD) can lead to memory and concentration issues, inertia and low mood. But for remote Aboriginal patients, this is compounded by the loss of family and friendship networks, language challenges, an unwanted and destabilising relocation, and the unfamiliar new world of Western medicine.
Until now, the main treatment focus for people living with ESKD has been the management of the physical aspects of the illness – with good progress being made, especially in encouraging more Aboriginal people to undergo life-saving kidney transplant operations. But ESKD extracts a serious toll on mental health and overall wellbeing. Menzies is leading efforts to address these psychological aspects, from the solid basis of research evidence, and long experience in both ESKD, mental health, and the remote Aboriginal context.
Your donation will support us to continue this valuable work.
Unfortunately, the remoteness of many Aboriginal homelands means that a life on dialysis is also a life lived away from kin and country. Dialysis centres are located in larger towns and cities, so to stay alive, Aboriginal patients are often forced to relocate.
On its own, end stage kidney disease (ESKD) can lead to memory and concentration issues, inertia and low mood. But for remote Aboriginal patients, this is compounded by the loss of family and friendship networks, language challenges, an unwanted and destabilising relocation, and the unfamiliar new world of Western medicine.
Until now, the main treatment focus for people living with ESKD has been the management of the physical aspects of the illness – with good progress being made, especially in encouraging more Aboriginal people to undergo life-saving kidney transplant operations. But ESKD extracts a serious toll on mental health and overall wellbeing. Menzies is leading efforts to address these psychological aspects, from the solid basis of research evidence, and long experience in both ESKD, mental health, and the remote Aboriginal context.
Your donation will support us to continue this valuable work.
Project has been fulfilled. This gift is not taking further donations.