ReachOut Australia is helping First Nations young people care for their mental health
Published: 19 August 2023
Article submitted by: ReachOut
ReachOut, Australia’s leading online mental health organisation for young people and their parents and carers, has launched a new project co-designed with First Nations young people to support their social and emotional wellbeing.
About social and emotional wellbeing
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of understanding social and emotional wellbeing are different from Western ideas about mental health. Social and emotional wellbeing is a holistic view of healthcare that incorporates the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of both the individual and the whole community.
For a First Nations young person, fostering healthy social and emotional wellbeing can mean strengthening their connection to the body, mind and emotions as well as to family, community, culture, Country, spirit and ancestors.
‘Meeting where you are’ – providing tailored support for First Nations young people
"Meeting where you are” was co-designed by First Nations young people for First Nations young people. The project was created to offer a tailored support experience to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by providing resources that build their social and emotional wellbeing and acknowledge the importance of cultural and social needs that traditional healthcare may overlook.
The Yarn up page on the ReachOut website hosts a suite of resources which promote mental health education and support services for First Nations people, and feature a diverse group of First Nations voices sharing their personal stories and experiences. The resources cover a wide variety of topics that can impact the social and emotional wellbeing of a young person, from coping with shame job to dealing with grief.
Collaboration with First Nations young people was vital to the development of these resources. ReachOut worked with First Nations young people across one regional, one remote and one metro area within Queensland and NSW who provided their insights and feedback throughout the entire process.
Beyond the Yarn up toolkit, First Nations young people looking for support can join a one-on-one PeerChat session with a trained peer worker.
Head here to visit the Yarn up page and access the resources: https://au.reachout.com/collections/yarn-up
Last reviewed: September 2023