Impacts of COVID-19 on Stolen Generations survivors

This paper examines the impact of COVID-19 and the associated restrictions on Stolen Generations survivors. It highlights how the restrictions aimed at protecting survivors are at the same time negatively impacting their physical and mental health and wellbeing. As with previous pandemics, there was considerable concern that COVID-19 would disproportionally affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Despite negative predictions, infection rates have (as of January 2021) been low. However, there is concern that the public health responses to COVID-19 (including social distancing, lockdowns and limits to the number of people at gatherings) will disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is because they increase disconnection from family, community, culture and country – key social determinants of health and wellbeing for Indigenous peoples, and especially for Stolen Generations survivors. 

From this small research project there is evidence that, while COVID-19 infection rates have been low, the public health response has had a negative impact on Stolen Generations survivors. The very elements that support peoples’ healing journeys (connection to family, community, culture and country) and lead to improved health and wellbeing are those most at risk when social distancing, lockdowns and limits on gatherings are introduced. For those Stolen Generations survivors who were part of this study there is an association between isolation, disconnection and a decline in physical and mental health, as well as some (re)triggering of trauma from past and present government policies. Further, for many Stolen Generations survivors in this study, there are increased family and cultural responsibilities that weigh heavily on them and increase the stress of the social restrictions imposed by governments. There is some evidence in the data that this is placing additional strain on relationships.