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.
Culturally tailored social and emotional wellbeing suicide prevention support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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.
The program embeds culture at every level. One-on-one as well as group work form part of the suicide prevention strategies. Elders are also engaged as key connectors and providers of healing supports.
People can self-refer by contacting the service or through a referral from their GP or other clinician.
One of Queensland’s largest Indigenous community organisations that supports people’s physical and social and emotional wellbeing in a culturally responsive way.
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.
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:
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.
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