And discover how headspace is supporting young First Nations peoples
This month, our Mental Health Youth Advisory group caught up to progress their work amplifying youth voices in government policy to help reduce mental health stigma among young people.
And we also looked into how the Australian Government is supporting First Nations young people through headspace and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025–2035 (the Strategy).
Check out our update below and find key support resources.
Mental Health Youth Advisory Group update
We acknowledged this important day by sharing outcomes from a recent meeting with our Mental Health Youth Advisory Group.
Together with the National Mental Health Commission, they’re continuing their work to develop a resource that is focused on reducing mental health stigma among young people. They discussed what authentic mental health communication looks like and provided feedback on the resource's language, tone and messaging.
This feedback will directly inform the next stage of the resource, with design and distribution to be explored at the next meeting.
The Commission is working to continuously provide new ways to improve Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention system. They’re working with our Youth Advisory Group to reduce stigma and discrimination, building a more inclusive environment for all Australians.
Thank you to our members for sharing their experiences, perspectives and ideas to help improve how young people can engage with mental health support.
headspace
If you didn’t already know, headspace offers online and in-person support to help young people’s social and emotional wellbeing. It is a free service for young people aged 12 to 25, funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
All headspace services are designed to deliver personalised, culturally safe and responsive care. There are 76 dedicated First Nations-led and designed headspace services in Australia. Locations include Alice Springs, Broome, Kununurra, Deception Bay, and Mount Isa, Yulara and Mutitjulu. Services in remote South Australia, Western New South Wales, and the Pilbara have also been established together with the First Nations communities they support.
The Australian Government is working to improve mental health care and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by implementing the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025–2035 (the Strategy).
Key priorities include:
- Empowering First Nations people and communities to lead responses to suicide and self-harm.
- Supporting First Nations communities to thrive through culture and deep connection to family, community, and Country.
- Giving First Nations communities the knowledge, tools, and skills to help individuals who are struggling or at risk.
- Making sure First Nations people have easy access to care that is safe and culturally appropriate when facing mental health distress.
Developed in partnership with Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, the Strategy guides governments to partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on culturally safe ways to reduce suicide and self-harm. Core principles centre around self-determination, culture, holistic and integrated services, place-based responses, and using lived experience to inform activities.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in distress, help is available.
For crisis support:
To contact headspace:
- Online: headspace.org.au
- Phone: 1800 650 890