Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people leaving out-of-home care are even more likely to experience poor outcomes and with more serious consequences This framework is a trauma and attachment-informed approach embedded in a cultural, ecological and developmental perspective. It aims to help workers recognise and make sense of many of the young people’s behaviours, attitudes and responses to the ordinary and extraordinary challenges involved in the transition from care to adulthood. It is not...read more
This report provides comprehensive information on trauma in Indigenous Australian children. It examines the effects of trauma while also providing an overview of recent government initiatives implemented to address the negative consequences of trauma exposure in childhood and adulthood. The report also describes the delivery of trauma-informed services and trauma-specific care. Complementing the information in this report is the inclusion of an appendices containing lists of relevant publications and resources. ISBN: 978-1-74249-438-8 ISSN: 2201-845X Cat...read more
Patron of We Al-li, Judy Atkinson's presentation on the multiple and complex experiences of trauma and loss that impact on Indigenous children and families and how to start healing.read more
Since 2007, Aboriginal children and young people have participated in a range of the Commissioner’s consultation projects on topics such as wellbeing, mental health and alcohol-related harm. Additionally, the Commissioner has consulted with Aboriginal children and young people, their families and communities, during many visits to regional and remote communities from Kununurra to Albany and Kalgoorlie, and many towns and cities in between. To build on this work, the Commissioner decided in 2014 to hold...read more
The Rising Spirits Project investigated what supports Aboriginal people need during bereavement, what is available that is being utilised by Aboriginal people, where the gaps are and the levels of community and state readiness to address grief and loss.read more
On White Ribbon Day a few weeks ago the Healing Foundation celebrated the success of Our Men, Our Healing, a groundbreaking capacity-building pilot for Indigenous men in Darwin and three remote NT communities – Ngukurr, Wurrumiyanga and Maningrida. The program aims to strengthen, support and empower Aboriginal men through cultural, educational and therapeutic healing activities. So far, about 450 men have taken part, with many more attending associated events in their communities. It’s seen huge...read more
“We are working at a pace to make a real difference but in the end it will come down to governments recognising that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide is a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. If you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged 15 to 35, nearly one in three deaths will be a suicide, We have the capacity to radically reduce the suicide crisis within less than a decade but we need the...read more
Objective: To evaluate the first three years of a national program to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous youth in remote and regional Australia. Methods: Combination of open inquiry and audit review involving investigation of process and outcomes, with a broad national overview supplemented by five in-depth case studies in diverse settings. Results: Community development principles were applied at all 14 sites. There were many examples of collaborative, community-driven health promotion initiatives, with...read more
The purpose of the resource is to: Strengthen and build upon the work already being done in the community by Stolen Generations members, organisations and groups to provide collective healing responses. Encourage the inclusion of collective healing responses in services provided to the Stolen Generations, including support groups, group therapy programs, day trips on country, healing circles, healing camps and reunions. Improve the range and quality of social and emotional wellbeing and healing programs available...read more
A community-driven mental health program in an Arnhem Land Indigenous community is being held up as a case study for the rest of Australia. A small local team has been running the program at Galiwin'ku on Elcho Island for the past eight years, which has included support for the community in the aftermath of two tropical cyclones. 5th October 2015read more
