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
A series of videos from Yarns Heal campaign ambassadors: Tiahni, youth ambassador, talks about family, community and empowerment Source: Yarns Heal - funded by Brisbane North PHN
A series of videos from Yarns Heal campaign ambassadors: Actor and comedian Steven Oliver, who talks about self-acceptance especially during dark times Source: Yarns Heal - funded by Brisbane North PHN
This fact sheet looks at the stresses young people experience – including school, work and family stresses – and gives advice about seeking help. Source: Headspace
A collection of inspirational postcards for printing, that describe elements of social and emotional wellbeing. Source: Evolve Therapeutic Services
This fact sheet discusses mental health and wellbeing challenges, and how young people can look after themselves and seek support when they need it. Source: Headspace
13YARN has developed a range of fact sheets to provide you with information and assistance during challenging times. Look through the fact sheets by topic and download any fact sheet that may be helpful for your situation. Source: 13YARN
This short animated video in Arrernte language describes feelings of distress and how to offer and seek support. Source: Mental Health Association of Central Australia
A series of videos from Yarns Heal campaign ambassadors: Merle, an aunty and educator, talks about acceptance and the need to reach out for support in community Source: Yarns Heal - funded by Brisbane North PHN
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
A series of videos from Yarns Heal campaign ambassadors: Merle, an aunty and educator, talks about acceptance and the need to reach out for support in community Source: Yarns Heal - funded by Brisbane North PHN
About spirit and resilience. Source: Kids Matter
About tradition and cultural identity. Source: KidsMatter
These podcasts include young people in conversations about healing, addressing intergenerational trauma, identity and confronting racism. Source: Healing Foundation
Uncle Les Coe yarns with young people about reconnecting with their cultural roots to grow proud and strong. Source: Desert Pea Media/WNSWPHN
This short film explores the positive influences of music on social and emotional wellbeing and features music from the Kututu Wattleseeds musical collaboration. Source: Mental Health Association of Central Australia
Yarn up is a safe space for First Nations young people to connect with community, hear from others, and access wellbeing resources and support. It has been co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and young First Nations people, and includes: - videos about social and emotional wellbeing and community connection - strategies for self-care when people are feeling not good - cartoons for younger kids. Many of these resources are also included individually within the Manual of Resources. Source: ReachOut Australia
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 featuring youth from the Kuku Ya'u community on the East Coast of Cape York.
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
Interview with Paul Callaghan, author, consultant and proud Worimi man from Port Stephens in NSW, who shares his lived experience of depression, and discusses the importance of connection to Aboriginal culture and spirituality for his wellbeing. Source: Black Dog Institute
This short animated video in Warlpiri language describes feelings of distress and how to offer and seek support. Source: Mental Health Association of Central Australia
Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people describe how racism affects them. Source: Headspace
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. High-energy humorous tour of Palm Island and its culture and history, hosted by a local Bwgcolman teenager.
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 fact sheet shows how alcohol and different drugs can affect wellbeing, and how to seek help. Source: Headspace
This fact sheet is designed to help mob better understand the five main types of trauma - acute, chronic, complex, secondary and intergenerational - how they may look and feel, and coping strategies. Source: 13YARN
This short resource describes how to have a safe conversation with someone in distress. Source: Everymind
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 short film explores the positive influences of music on social and emotional wellbeing and features music from the Kututu Wattleseeds musical collaboration. Source: Mental Health Association of Central Australia
This short resource gives advice to families, friends and community leaders about how to support someone who has been bereaved by suicide. Source: Everymind
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 featuring the Bowen Connection group of Juru and South Sea Islander young people in the Bowen region.
This planning tool is based on the principles described in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP). It shows how communities can plan and lead suicide prevention projects, using essential criteria for success. Note: This 2017 resource is under review Source: Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention
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
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.
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.
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.