LOOKING after the social and emotional wellbeing of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is what is at the heart of the new headspace campaign, Take a Step.
An initiative of headspace and funded by the Department of Health and Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Take a Step campaign launched at headspace Swan Hill on Thursday, with First Nations young people, services, and community coming together to enjoy the free event.
It included an acknowledgement of country, smoking ceremony, cultural dances, activities, and a barbecue lunch.
The Take a Step campaign gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people access to a range of resources that encourages them to recognise the signs that something is not right, and how to take steps towards feeling better.
headspace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practice and engagement co-ordinator William Oui, a Torres Strait Islander man himself, described Take a Step as a “unique and powerful approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing”.
“This is a campaign for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who understand that it’s important to yarn up and see help when you are not feeling too deadly,” Mr Oui said.
“Take a Step understands the need to think about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing holistically, considering the ways our culture, identity, place and spirituality can make us feel strong.”
The materials were developed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members from across Australia. This included a reference group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people lived experience of mental ill-health.
Being a part of the headspace Wominjeka youth reference group herself, 21-year-old Ngarrindjeri woman Nikia Bailey said the campaign gives young people like her the tools they need to spot when something is wrong and try and get back on track.
“I know this will start some important conversations in my community and will hopefully encourage more young people like me to take the first steps towards better social and emotional wellbeing,” Ms Bailey said.
“There is still a lot of stigma about mental health in the community and that can make it difficult to ask for help, but I want people to understand how our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures can empower us to take care of our social and emotional wellbeing.
“When I am having a hard time, my connections with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people help me understand that I am not alone. We have a shared experience and can support one another.”
headspace chief executive Jason Threthowan said supporting the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people was a priority for the organisation.
“We are dedicated to supporting young people on their social and emotional wellbeing journey,” Mr Trethowan said.
“We want to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to understand what social and emotional wellbeing means ad when support might be needed.”
To find out more or access the Take a Step resources, visit headspace.org.au/takeastep
