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Tools screening depression and anxiety developed using the Western biomedical paradigm are still used with First Nations Peoples globally, despite calls for cross-cultural adaption. Recent work by this research team found that tools used to screen for depression and anxiety were inappropriate for use with Australian First Nations Peoples living in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area of Australia. The objective of this Delphi study, the second phase of a broader four-phase project, was to gain consensus from an expert mental health and/or social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) panel to inform the development of an appropriate screening tool. This Delphi study took place between March and May 2023. Three sequential rounds of anonymous online surveys delivered using QualtricsTM were planned, although only two were needed to reach 75% consensus. The first round sought consensus on whether a new screening tool needed to be developed or whether existing tools could be used. The second round achieved consensus. Twenty-eight experts (47% response rate) participated across the two Delphi rounds. In the second round, 83% of these experts agreed or strongly agreed that a new screening tool, using the holistic First Nations concept of social and emotional wellbeing, be developed. Ninety-four percent of them agreed that it should take a Yarning approach. These findings enabled the development of a new SEWB screening tool that adopted a Yarning (narrative) approach designed for use in primary care and geriatric settings in the region. The new tool has four different Yarning areas: Community engagement and behaviour; Stress worries; Risk; and Feeling strong. Guidelines for tool use are integrated as well as Summary and Recommendation sections. At a macro-level this project responds to the need for new screening tools that are underpinned by First Nations worldviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tools that screen for depression and anxiety developed using the Western biomedical paradigm are still used with First Nations peoples globally, despite calls for cross-cultural adaption. Recent work by the research team found that tools used to screen for depression and anxiety were not appropriate for use with Australian First Nations peoples living in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA). of Australia. Consequently, the objective of this Delphi study is to gain consensus from an expert mental health panel to inform the development of an appropriate depression and anxiety screening tool(s). A Delphi study with Australian expert panellists will be used to reach consensus about whether an existing screening tool should be used or whether adaption or new tool development should take place. Three sequential rounds of anonymous online surveys will be used to reach consensus. The first round will seek consensus about the tool(s). Subsequent rounds will seek consensus on the development of the tool(s) identified in round one. Panellists will be identified using a combination of authorship of related publications, established national clinical or research profile in First Nations mental health, and/or by peer referral. Consensus will be reached when 75% of the panel agree. When agreement is not reached suggestions will be taken to the next round. If agreement is not achieved by the third round, the Steering Committee will make any outstanding decisions. Dissemination of the findings through continuing community engagement, conference presentations and publications will be led by Torres Strait Islander members of the research team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic biology (synbio) scientists have identified islands as potential environments in which to trial the release of approved gene drives in the future for conservation and biosecurity purposes. However, islands, and their interconnected waterscapes, can connect as much as they contain. The Torres Strait Islands stretch between mainland Australia, of which they are a part, and Papua New Guinea. The Straits' water facilitates transport and fosters customary connection and trans/national notions of kin. In this watery world, how might Torres Strait Islanders' understandings complicate and/or contribute to (synbio) scientific concepts of islands as contained, 'watertight' field sites? And how is a changing climate and rising sea levels impacting identities in the Torres Strait and relationships in the region? As intra‐ and inter‐national island anthropology, this article considers how synbio approaches to water may engage with the hydro‐history and fluid future of Torres Strait Islander identities and cross‐cultural socio‐environmental responsibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]