Individuals, Families, Peers, Elders & Communities
Resources for Social & Emotional Wellbeing Self-Support
Community is central to the social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous people.
In consultations to develop this section of the Manual, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people told us that connection to community and culture provides belonging and meaning, and can foster resilience, which helps with coping during tough times.
People also said that in a crisis they would often prefer to manage the issue by themselves, or seek support from a friend, family member or Elder, rather than accessing formal, clinical supports.
That means Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need advice to assist them to manage their own wellbeing, or to support others. This can include practical strategies that may help with immediate distress, or advice on what kind of services may be able to help, and how to find them.
It is important to recognise that sometimes a mental health or wellbeing crisis may need a more urgent intervention. At the top of every page within the Manual there are links to crisis support services.
The following resources have been selected because they:
- were developed by, with and for Indigenous people
- are accessible, free to use, and do not require professional training
- have been reviewed to ensure they are current and culturally safe and appropriate.
The resources include checklists and support strategies, and multimedia resources such as videos and podcasts.
Some were produced within particular cultural contexts, or for groups including youth. These are clearly labelled.
Individuals
These resources are designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to manage their own mental health and social and emotional wellbeing.
In consultation meetings for the Manual, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people told us these resources were important, but they emphasised that social and emotional wellbeing is all about connection to community, and people should always reach out for support rather than trying to manage alone.
FILTER BY TOPIC / TYPE :
- All
- ∘ Cultural Understanding & Respect ∘
- ∘ LGBTIQ+ ∘
- ∘ Promoting Resilience & Preventing Suicide ∘
- ∘ Responding After Suicide ∘
- ∘ Responding to Crisis ∘
- ∘ Staying Safe & Well ∘
- ∘ Support & Hope After Losing Someone ∘
- ∘ Support in Tough Times ∘
- Apps
- Book
- Checklist/Tool
- Education/Tutorial
- Information/Booklet
- Podcast
- Video
- Website/Database
This detailed resource gives information and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people after a suicide attempt. Source: beyondblue
Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people describe how racism affects them. Source: Headspace
Depression is a deep sadness that sticks around for weeks, months or even years. Sometimes, we don't realise that we're carrying it, or we don't yarn about it. With the right support, you can begin healing your way for a better life. Source: 13YARN
This artwork was created by graphic artist Riki Salam for the Yarns Heal - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQ+, BrotherBoy and Sistergirl Suicide Prevention Campaign, in collaboration with Indigilez, Gar'band'jee'lum and the Yarns Heal Community working group. This resource describes how the artwork was created and the meaning of its symbols. Source: Yarns Heal - funded by Brisbane North PHN
Payten Thorne talks about the role of creativity - photography and drawing - in supporting her wellbeing. Source: Desert Pea Media/WNSWPHN
This short resource gives advice about how to heal through sharing stories of grief and loss. Source: Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (South Australia)
In this video Ngiyampaa artist Sara Richards talks about the role of art-making in connecting with her culture and supporting her social and emotional wellbeing, and describes the process of developing an artwork for Capital Health’s (ACT PHN) Cultural Competency Framework. Source: Capital Health (ACT PHN)
Yarning about Mental Health These videos from Menzies School of Health Research, contains strength-based messages around mental health and wellbeing. It also highlights the importance of culture, family and community in maintaining good mental health and provides tools that can be used to promote wellbeing. The video was developed with First Nations Australians in the Northern Territory.
Young People
FILTER BY TOPIC / TYPE :
- All
- ∘ Cultural Understanding & Respect ∘
- ∘ LGBTIQ+ ∘
- ∘ Promoting Resilience & Preventing Suicide ∘
- ∘ Responding After Suicide ∘
- ∘ Responding to Crisis ∘
- ∘ Staying Safe & Well ∘
- ∘ Support & Hope After Losing Someone ∘
- ∘ Support in Tough Times ∘
- Apps
- Book
- Checklist/Tool
- Education/Tutorial
- Information/Booklet
- Podcast
- Video
- Website/Database
The Break It Down video project, with youth in North Queensland, includes original music and stories of cultural connection from five communities. All the videos are also available through the Hitnet kiosk and wifi service for remote communities which may not have regular internet access. Break It Down is a project of North Queensland Primary Health Network, with Desert Pea Media. Music video from the Bwgcolman Mob of young people from Palm Island.
The Break It Down video project, with youth in North Queensland, includes original music and stories of cultural connection from five communities. All the videos are also available through the Hitnet kiosk and wifi service for remote communities which may not have regular internet access. Break It Down is a project of North Queensland Primary Health Network, with Desert Pea Media. Short film about the experiences of a young man, finding strength in the transition to fatherhood.
The Break It Down video project, with youth in North Queensland, includes original music and stories of cultural connection from five communities. All the videos are also available through the Hitnet kiosk and wifi service for remote communities which may not have regular internet access. Break It Down is a project of North Queensland Primary Health Network, with Desert Pea Media. Short film about the 2004 death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee, narrated by his family and Bwgcolman community members, describing the impact on the community and their strength, connection and healing.
The Break It Down video project, with youth in North Queensland, includes original music and stories of cultural connection from five communities. All the videos are also available through the Hitnet kiosk and wifi service for remote communities which may not have regular internet access. Break It Down is a project of North Queensland Primary Health Network, with Desert Pea Media. Short film featuring young men talking about pride in hunting and other traditional activities.
These podcasts include young people in conversations about healing, addressing intergenerational trauma, identity and confronting racism. Source: Healing Foundation
Educational resources for secondary students (Years 10 to 12), developed around the three-part SBS documentary The Australian Wars, which describes the history of conflicts as Indigenous people resisted colonisation. Source: Blackfella Films, SBS Learn and Culture is Life
This artwork was created by graphic artist Riki Salam for the Yarns Heal - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQ+, BrotherBoy and Sistergirl Suicide Prevention Campaign, in collaboration with Indigilez, Gar'band'jee'lum and the Yarns Heal Community working group. This resource describes how the artwork was created and the meaning of its symbols. Source: Yarns Heal - funded by Brisbane North PHN
Desert Pea Media – Music Videos Desert Pea Media works with Indigenous young people in regional and remote areas, using storytelling and audio-visual media to promote social and cultural dialogue, responding to issues including intergenerational trauma, suicide, unemployment and incarceration. The story of the four young people from Bourke High School in western NSW, who travelled to Darwin to accept the NIMA Community Clip Award for their song and music video Thundercloud, created to inspire and support mobs to be resilient and supported. Source: Desert Pea Media/WNSWPHN
Families, Friends & Elders
These resources are intended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to support others, with strategies to help people through tough times and advice about when and how to seek additional assistance.
FILTER BY TOPIC / TYPE :
- All
- ∘ Cultural Understanding & Respect ∘
- ∘ LGBTIQ+ ∘
- ∘ Promoting Resilience & Preventing Suicide ∘
- ∘ Responding After Suicide ∘
- ∘ Responding to Crisis ∘
- ∘ Staying Safe & Well ∘
- ∘ Support & Hope After Losing Someone ∘
- ∘ Support in Tough Times ∘
- Apps
- Book
- Checklist/Tool
- Education/Tutorial
- Information/Booklet
- Podcast
- Video
- Website/Database
This strengths based mental health and wellbeing tool aims to improve culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by offering a holistic, person-centred approach to having a yarn about wellbeing. It is aimed at strengthening connections, goal setting and self-management of mental wellbeing. The interactive tool allows users to select different options or to write down: the people that keep them strong the strengths in their life the worries that can take their strength away the goals that can make change. Abstract adapted from Menzies School of Health Research Source: Menzies School of Health Research
Yarning about Mental Health These videos from Menzies School of Health Research, contains strength-based messages around mental health and wellbeing. It also highlights the importance of culture, family and community in maintaining good mental health and provides tools that can be used to promote wellbeing. The video was developed with First Nations Australians in the Northern Territory.
This resources describes how past traumas can have a lasting effect on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including new generations. Source: Trauma & Grief Network
Yarning about Mental Health These videos from Menzies School of Health Research, contains strength-based messages around mental health and wellbeing. It also highlights the importance of culture, family and community in maintaining good mental health and provides tools that can be used to promote wellbeing. The video was developed with First Nations Australians in the Northern Territory.
This animated short video accompanies the Little Red Threat Book, and provides advice for when someone threatens to end their life to get something they want. Source: Central Australia Life Promotion Network
Yarning about Mental Health These videos from Menzies School of Health Research, contains strength-based messages around mental health and wellbeing. It also highlights the importance of culture, family and community in maintaining good mental health and provides tools that can be used to promote wellbeing. The video was developed with First Nations Australians in the Northern Territory.
Short resource about the ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may grieve after a suicide or other sudden death. This resource also includes help-seeking for people at risk of suicide while they are grieving.
In this video Ngiyampaa artist Sara Richards talks about the role of art-making in connecting with her culture and supporting her social and emotional wellbeing, and describes the process of developing an artwork for Capital Health’s (ACT PHN) Cultural Competency Framework. Source: Capital Health (ACT PHN)
Communities
These resources can help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, community leaders and organisations to plan community-level responses that promote social and emotional wellbeing and support people in crisis.
FILTER BY TOPIC / TYPE :
- All
- ∘ Cultural Understanding & Respect ∘
- ∘ LGBTIQ+ ∘
- ∘ Promoting Resilience & Preventing Suicide ∘
- ∘ Responding After Suicide ∘
- ∘ Responding to Crisis ∘
- ∘ Staying Safe & Well ∘
- ∘ Support & Hope After Losing Someone ∘
- ∘ Support in Tough Times ∘
- Apps
- Book
- Checklist/Tool
- Education/Tutorial
- Information/Booklet
- Podcast
- Video
- Website/Database
This podcast series features conversations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about their experiences, roles and achievements. It is hosted by writer and broadcaster Marlee Silva, a proud Gamilaroi and Dunghutti woman born and raised on Dharrawal country, south of Sydney. Episode 11 is Coming Out Blak, with Matika Little and Courtney Hagen, who are black, gay and proud. Connected online through their common experiences of being Aboriginal and identifying as lesbian, they have built a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+voices on Instagram @comingoutblak. In this podcast they share their own experiences, discuss the issues that matter to them and offer solidarity to people struggling with their sexual identity. Source: Marlee Silva
This framework supports Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations to improve their cultural security, both for employees and for clients/patients. While developed specifically for the Kimberley, the principles are likely to be valuable in other regions. The framework sets out performance targets under four categories: Professional development of the workforce The workplace environment Care models Systems and processes Source: Kimberley Aboriginal Health Planning Forum
Yarning about Mental Health These videos from Menzies School of Health Research, contains strength-based messages around mental health and wellbeing. It also highlights the importance of culture, family and community in maintaining good mental health and provides tools that can be used to promote wellbeing. The video was developed with First Nations Australians in the Northern Territory.
About connection and resilience. Source: Kids Matter
A free-to-use online mapping tool that works to help people and communities in Western Australia to access health services, including social and emotional wellbeing services, as close as possible to family, home and Country. Source: Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia
This is a collection of conversation guides, posters and video stories under the headline: “Ask Your Mob, In Your Way, R U OK?” Sign up with an email address and phone number to get immediate access to all the downloads, which support people to have conversations with family members, friends and others who may be struggling. Source: RUOK
Short resource about the ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may grieve after a suicide or other sudden death. This resource also includes help-seeking for people at risk of suicide while they are grieving.
The Break It Down video project, with youth in North Queensland, includes original music and stories of cultural connection from five communities. All the videos are also available through the Hitnet kiosk and wifi service for remote communities which may not have regular internet access. Break It Down is a project of North Queensland Primary Health Network, with Desert Pea Media. Music video from the Bwgcolman Mob of young people from Palm Island.