First Nations hub

Community resources

Culture 101

This clinical practice point for mental health professionals introduces key concepts that provide a baseline understanding for those accessing the ‘cultural diversity and mental wellbeing’ suite of resources. 

Valuing cultural diversity and inclusion in youth mental health 

This clinical practice guide is for professionals working with young people, to introduce the value of cultural diversity and inclusion in youth mental health settings, including how this relates to individuals, teams and organisations. 

Practice Guide to improve the Social and Emotional Wellbeing of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with severe and complex mental health needs  

This practice guide was written by the Menzies School of Health Research for Orygen as part of the Youth Enhanced Services program. It draws on an emerging evidence-base and aims to support service providers, commissioners and policymakers to adopt strengths-based, equitable and culturally responsive practices that better meet the social and emotional wellbeing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. 

Young First Nations people and psychosis 

This module has been designed for people who work in secondary and tertiary education and primary care including community health settings who provide support to young First Nations people. The module includes interactive activities and videos and provides information about psychosis to help you begin to understand this complex illness and how to provide support to a young person experiencing it, while considering the individual cultural context for young First Nations people. 

Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (Consumer Peer Work)  

Our First Nations team helped shape the module Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety for Orygen’s Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (Consumer Peer Work). 

Supporting young Aboriginal people who self-harm: A guide for families and communities 

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. Importantly, it promotes social and emotional wellbeing and healing for young people, their families and communities. 

The Journey Home 

The Journey Home program from Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) in South Australia aims to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of young Aboriginal people who are involved with the youth justice system. In this 15-minute video, the Journey Home team share their experiences of supporting young Aboriginal people with psychosis and their families. 

external resources 

Orygen also recognises the great work being done by many institutes and organisations around Australia. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-led research, reports, publications and resources relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing, Lowitja Institute, Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Menzies School of Health Research, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health and WellMob are just some example of the work being done in this space.