The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is calling on all Australians to respect and support one another in the wake of the defeat of the First Nations Voice to Parliament in today's Referendum.
ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said the failure of the YES vote will have an immediate devastating impact on the mental health and wellbeing of millions of Australians – especially First Nations Australians – who have campaigned for years for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the First Nations Voice to Parliament.
"Today is a day for people to provide comfort and support for their families, friends, and neighbours as the Referendum result sinks in," Adjunct Professor Ward said.
"This is a health issue. This is a human rights issue. And people who voted YES will be going through all sorts of emotions.
"They will be hurting. They will be disappointed. They will need help. They will need assurance that everything will be alright.
"It is not a time for blame or recrimination or division. It is a time for unity.
"This is not the end of the path to reconciliation. This is not the end of Closing the Gap.
"Nurses stand ready to provide care and counselling and comfort to people struggling with the Referendum outcome.
"Nurses will listen, provide appropriate support, and refer to other support if required.
"Let's be kind. Let's look after each other," Adjunct Professor Ward said.
ACN recommends Helplines for support, including:
13YARN
13 92 76
(24 hours/7 days) to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter
NMBA
1800 667 877
Nurse & Midwife Support
Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
Mental Health Support line for adults and young people (24 Hrs)
Lifeline
13 11 14
Mental Health Support line for adults and young people (24 Hrs)
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
Mental Health Support and Referral line for adults and young people (24 Hrs)
HeadtoHelp
1800 595 212
Mental Health Support and Referral line for adults and young people
Eheadspace
1800 650 890
Mental health and wellbeing support information and services to young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families
QLife
1800 184 527
Support for LGBTIQ+ people
