Mental Health
Mental Health
Mental health is about how you handle your emotions, deal with stress and challenges, as well as your overall outlook on life. Poor mental health is responsible for 10% of the health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples a long history of trauma, grief, loss and cultural disconnection means mental health issues can be complex. This requires culturally appropriate support that recognises the connection between physical health, mental health, spiritual needs and social and emotional wellbeing. Having a healthy sense of mental wellbeing helps you to build resilience to bounce back when faced with challenges or difficulties and can help you to live a full and happy life, even when things get tough at times.
(Source: Australian Government Department of Health)
13YARN
13YARN is run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It offers free and confidential service available 24/7 from any mobile or pay phone. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters to yarn to.
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia
Established in late March 2020, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is the new national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention leadership body. It is governed and controlled by Indigenous experts and peak bodies working in these areas, promoting collective excellence in mental health care.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health programs
This program funds Primary Health Networks to engage culturally appropriate, evidence-based mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
In many areas, local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services deliver these services, which are tailored to meet the individual needs of the local population.
The Healing Foundation
The Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners with communities to address the ongoing trauma caused by actions like the forced removal of children from their families. Our work helps people create a different future.
Lifeline
You are not alone. We’re here to listen. Every 30 seconds, a person in Australia reaches out to Lifeline for help. We are a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
We exist so that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone.
Call 13 11 14 – available 24/7
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue has been providing supports and services to people in Australia for 20 years.
We are Australia’s most well-known and visited mental health organisation, focused on supporting people affected by anxiety, depression and suicide. We don’t ever take this position for granted nor do we rest on our laurels.
Beyond Blue works with the community to improve mental health and prevent suicide, so that all people in Australia can achieve their best possible mental health.
R U OK?
R U OK? is a harm prevention charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives. Our work focuses on building the motivation, confidence and skills of the help-giver – the person who can have a meaningful conversation with someone who is struggling with life.
R U OK? contributes to suicide prevention efforts by encouraging people to invest more time in their personal relationships and building the capacity of informal support networks – friends, family and colleagues – to be alert to those around them, have a conversation if they identify signs of distress or difficulty and connect someone to appropriate support, long before they’re in crisis.
Headspace
Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation. We support young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, as well as work and study support. With a focus on early intervention, we work with young people to provide support at a crucial time in their lives – to help get them back on track and strengthen their ability to manage their mental health in the future.
Black Dog Institute
As the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, our aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone.
We do this through ‘translational’ research. Integrating our research studies, education programs, digital tools and apps, clinical services, and public resources to discover new solutions, foster connections and create real-world change.
Our partnerships with people with lived experience, federal, state and local governments, communities, schools, corporate Australia and others in the mental health sector enables us to drive evidence-informed change in mental health where it’s needed most.
iBobbly app
A social and emotional wellbeing self-help app for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 15 years and over. Completely private and confidential, it helps by showing you ways to manage your thoughts and feelings, as well as how to decide what is important in your life.
Counselling Online
Counselling Online is a free and confidential service that provides 24/7 support to people across Australia affected by alcohol or drug use.