Currently studying her Master of Science, Bundjalung woman Caitlin Easton is gaining valuable experience working for a non-profit organisation. During her degree, she focused on Indigenous mental health; an area of health that she has become incredibly passionate about.
‘It was never really in the career plan to follow a research pathway, it just became something that I loved. I loved exploring - it’s that child-like wonderment. Children are little scientists, and scientists are children that never grew up.’
UniSQ’s research focused degree allowed her to travel into communities to talk with the people most affected. She researched the contributing factors to the high suicide rate in Indigenous youth, work which she found incredibly rewarding.
‘I interviewed members of community, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, everyone from the local police officers, to members of the health services, through to Elders and youths, to hear their stories and experiences.’
Her goal is to make a difference in the lives of people who may not have a strong support system.
‘I want my son to grow up within a community where he can talk about his mental health, the same way he can talk about having a cold.’
