Mental Health
Working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health sector to provide evidence-based, culturally grounded social and emotional wellbeing programs.
What we do
NACCHO works with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector to positively impact positive the social and emotional wellbeing of our communities. Through our programs we provide evidence-based policy and program expertise.
Our mental health programs use co-design principles to implement innovations to existing policies and programs so they can be tailored to community needs and priorities. Our flagship program is Culture Care Connect, which supports the establishment of community-controlled suicide prevention networks and aftercare services.
NACCHO’s mental health program partners with the Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing Project and the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention at the University of Western Australia.
Our initiatives
Culture Care Connect
Culture Care Connect integrates suicide prevention and holistic aftercare with cultural sensitivity and community empowerment.
Connection Strength and Resilience resources hub
In response to the Voice to Parliament referendum, NACCHO developed the Connection Strength and Resilience resource hub to support community-based mental health services.
Suicide Story
Suicide Story is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designed and delivered program delivered through a workshop that aims to equip Aboriginal communities to:
- Bring greater awareness to the signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
- Build on existing knowledge and awareness that participants have about suicide.
- Define suicide in local and cultural terms and reduce the impact of stigma.
- Strengthen understanding of grief, trauma, and the needs of people who may be contemplating suicide.
- Build confidence to act and intervene as required through empowerment, self-awareness, and strength.
Transforming Indigenous Health
NACCHO also has partnerships with Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing (funded by the Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission) and the Centre of Best Practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention at the University of Western Australia.
Our approach
NACCHO contributes to lasting solutions by:
- Ensuring policy is evidence-based
- Drawing on program expertise
- Using co-design principles
Evidence-based policy and program expertise
We provide evidence-based policy and program expertise to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector, helping to improve social and emotional wellbeing.
Use co-design principles
Our programs are developed using co-design principles, ensuring they are flexible and tailored to meet community needs and priorities, while aligning with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Strong partnerships
NACCHO maintains key partnerships with:
- Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing (funded by the Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission)
- The Centre of Best Practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention at the University of Western Australia
Our impact
The Culture Care Connect program has established 30 Community controlled suicide prevention networks and 37 aftercare service delivery sites, employing over 100 full time positions across the country, including in remote and very remote regions of Australia.
This community-designed and led initiative has increased community touchpoints for support, workforce development, and service coordination, along with enhanced health promotion and advocacy.
Resources
Committees
Culture Care Connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group
The Advisory Group provides advice on the development of a model of care for suicide prevention and aftercare services, the community-controlled suicide prevention networks (CCSPNs) and the programs they deliver, identifies any required system changes, as well as supports the monitoring and evaluation of the program.
ACCHO locations
NACCHO oversees a network of 146 members, each running Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across urban, regional, and remote Australia. These ACCHOs range from large facilities with multiple healthcare professionals providing comprehensive services to smaller centres focused on preventive care and health education, primarily delivered by Aboriginal Health Workers and nurses.
NACCHO’s mental health programs are delivered in selected locations across its network, ensuring culturally appropriate care reaches Elders and older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in diverse urban, regional, and remote communities.
Contact
For any inquiries or further information, please contact the Mental Health team at: CCCProgram@naccho.org.au
