For crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14, MH Call 1300 642 255 or in an emergency call 000
Support for diverse communities
Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people believe that mental health and mental illness focus too much on problems and not enough on all the factors that influence wellbeing.
Because of this, most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people prefer the term social and emotional wellbeing as it fits well with a holistic view of health.
In broad terms, social and emotional wellbeing is the foundation for physical and mental health.
It’s a holistic concept that results from a network of relationships between individuals, family, kin and community.
It also recognises the importance of connection to land, culture, spirituality and ancestry, and how these affect the individual.
A sense of social and emotional wellbeing is essential for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to lead successful and fulfilling lies.
The social and emotional wellbeing services outlined below are culturally responsive and designed specifically to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples:
The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) provides an integrated social health model, including primary mental health services, alcohol and other drug treatment services and suicide prevention services. These services are culturally response and delivered within a broader comprehensive primary healthcare model.
Kurbingui is an Aboriginal community based and driven not for profit organisation that offers services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, families, children and young people living in the greater Brisbane, Moreton Bay and South East regions.
Kurbingui delivers a wide range of community services and support in areas such as employment and training, family support, domestic and family violence, alcohol and substance abuse, cultural education and engagement, education support for children, young people and their families, recreation and sports and groups and workshops for young people, men and women.
Kurbingui is funded by Brisbane North PHN to deliver culturally tailored social and emotional wellbeing suicide prevention related services under the National Suicide Prevention Program. This service is for those who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, have made a suicide attempt or for families affected by the loss of a loved one to suicide. People can self-refer by contacting the service or can be referred via their GP or other health professional.
One of Queensland’s largest Indigenous community organisations that supports people’s physical and social and emotional wellbeing in a culturally responsive way.
The Moreton Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (Moreton ATSICHS) provides holistic health care to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Moreton Bay area.
13YARN is the first national service of its kind for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in crisis. We offer a confidential one-on-one over the phone yarning opportunity and support with a trained Lifeline Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.
Gallang Place provides a range of counselling, advocacy and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to live a healthier and happier life. Counsellors can help with many issues and concerns that you might face - having a deep respect for your rights, culture, history and your community. Gallang Place services people living in Brisbane, Logan, Beaudesert and North Stradbroke Island.
Free and confidential legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
WEBSITE AND RESOURCES
The following websites contain culturally responsive resources to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing thoughts of suicide in addition to general information about mental health:
Resources relating to mental health and suicide self-management and support.
Mob Link is an initiative of the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in SEQ by linking them with health and social services. By calling, you can access a variety of COVID-19 related services and support plus a wide range of other health and social services.
Resources and information relating to mental health, self-harm and suicide.
Resources relating to mental health, self-harm and suicide.
SERVICE DIRECTORIES
The following service directories can help search for organisations that offer mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples:
A quick guide to digital mental health resources available for use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connections to land, waterways and culture. We pay our respect to all Australian Indigenous Peoples and their cultures, and to Elders of past, present and future generations.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connections to land, waterways and culture. We pay our respect to all Australian Indigenous Peoples and their cultures, and to Elders of past, present and future generations.
Brisbane North PHN wishes to acknowledge the experience and expertise of the My Mental Health Steering Committee, delegates of the Peer Participation in Mental Health Services (PPIMS) network and health professionals in developing the My Mental Health Website.
