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 section of the Government’s Head to Health website contains information for Indigenous people. Source: Australian Government Department of Health
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
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.
Our mob has strong community values and places great emphasis on care, respect, and love, but sometimes things can go wrong. Struggling with domestic violence? There is always a hand stretched out for you. Source: 13YARN
This fact sheet aims to increase understanding of loneliness, its signs, and to suggest coping strategies using the strengths from within our culture and community that can protect us against loneliness. Source: 13YARN
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
In this video, Nicky Newley describes her experiences with art and its role in her recovery through difficult times. The video is part of a suicide prevention campaign for LGBTIQ+ community members in Brisbane. Source: Yarns Heal - funded by Brisbane North PHN
This fact sheet shares some types of things that might make us worry or feel 'anxious', and ways that respect our culture for dealing with these worries and feelings. Source: 13YARN
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
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. Hip hop anthem celebrating the resilience and strength of the Wiradjuri People from the Central West of NSW, addressing issues including The Stolen Generations, racism, family violence, grief and trauma. Source: Desert Pea Media/WNSWPHN
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 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
George’s goal is to provide the kids of his community with direction, while emphasising cultural wisdom and respect for Country, to prevent them from going down the tough path that he has walked before. Source: Desert Pea Media/WNSWPHN
This video was driven by key figures in the communities of Galiwin’ku and Milingimbi, telling the story in Djambarrpuynu of how music, dancing and singing can improve mental health for Yolgnu people by sustaining identity and resilience. Source: EG Productions commissioned by the former NT Medicare Local
Short videos of Elders telling traditional stories for young children, intended to promote and strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Source: Common Ground
About Country and cultural identity. Source: KidsMatter
This app presents two animated stories to help children and teenagers understand and respond to bullying. Source: Menzies School of Health Research Centre for Child Development and Education, with Northern Territory PHN
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 short animated video in Pitjantatjara language describes feelings of distress and how to offer and seek support. Source: Mental Health Association of Central Australia
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
George’s goal is to provide the kids of his community with direction, while emphasising cultural wisdom and respect for Country, to prevent them from going down the tough path that he has walked before. Source: Desert Pea Media/WNSWPHN
Short resource for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, not specific to suicide deaths. Source: Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (South Australia)
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
Orygen partnered with The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP), which led the co-design process with community using a participatory action research approach. This guide looks at early warning signs of self-harm, factors that may influence young First Nations people to self-harm, and how to get help, including managing a crisis and injuries. Young Aboriginal people in Western Australia co-developed the guide with an Aboriginal expert advisory group, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health workers, local Elders, and Aboriginal families and communities from across the state. While the guide was co-developed by, and for, Aboriginal people in Western Australia, it may be broadly applicable to First Nations families and communities right across the country.
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.
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
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
As a fair-skinned Aboriginal woman, Aunty Gloria was caught between two worlds. She has spent her life learning how to honour both through indyamarra (respect), and she talks about expressing the histories and experiences that make people unique. Source: Desert Pea Media/WNSWPHN
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.
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 film about an Aboriginal boy who is dealing with depression as a result of his cousin’s suicide, and how he finds help. Source: Mental Health First Aid Australia
Glossary of Healing Terms
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
This toolkit, designed to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander alcohol and other drugs workforce, may also be valuable for mainstream workers supporting Indigenous clients with AOD and social and emotional wellbeing issues. It addresses issues including: Heavy work demands Defining roles and boundaries Role stigmatisation Translating mainstream work practices to ensure they are culturally sensitive A lack of cultural understanding and support Geographical isolation. The toolkit comprises workbooks, case studies and a discussion guide as well a collection of fact sheets for supervisors to support their teams: The complex personal lives of Indigenous AOD workers Indigenous ways of working Rewarding workers Mentoring Recruiting and retaining workers Clinical supervision Developing teams. And fact sheets for workers to prevent stress and burnout: Worker wellbeing – A Guide For Workers Mentoring – A Guide For Workers Clinical Supervision – A Guide For Workers Goal setting – A Guide For Workers. Source: NCETA
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