3 cultural considerations when supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

As the world’s oldest living culture, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples bring deep knowledge, connection and resilience to every aspect of life – including a holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing. Yet the ongoing impacts of colonisation, intergenerational trauma and systemic inequality continue to contribute disproportionate experiences of psychological distress and suicide (ABS, 2023 and AIHW, 2023). 

Supporting social and emotional wellbeing in First Nations communities means recognising and respecting cultural strengths, lived experience and community-led approaches. Together with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs Executive Director and proud Barkindji woman, Karen Bates, we explore how individuals, workplaces and education institutions can deepen their cultural understanding and provide support that is safe, responsive, and grounded in respect for First Nations ways of being, knowing and doing. 

KNOWING – Cultural Awareness 

Understanding social and emotional wellbeing  

Across the life course, a positive sense of social and emotional wellbeing is essential for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to lead mentally healthy and fulfilling lives. 

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people perceive ‘mental health’ and ‘mental illness’ as medical terms that focus too much on problems and do not properly describe all the factors that make up and influence wellbeing (Gee et al., 2014). Because of this, most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people prefer the term social and emotional wellbeing, as it fits well within a holistic view of health. 

Social and emotional wellbeing refers to the whole-person, resulting from a network of relationships between individuals, family, kin and community. It recognises that health is not simply ‘physical’ but instead relates to seven interconnected domains including connection to culture, country, community, family and kinship, spirituality and ancestors, body and mind (Figure 1). 

Social and emotional wellbeing is affected by the social determinants of health including education and unemployment and a broader range of problems resulting from colonisation and its intergenerational legacies: grief and loss, trauma and abuse, violence, removal from family and cultural dislocation, substance abuse, racism and discrimination and social disadvantage.  

Notably, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey (2022 – 2023) found lower levels of psychological distress were experienced when people felt connected to their culture and did not experience themselves or relatives being removed from their natural family. 

When supporting an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person experiencing psychological distress, it’s important to consider the context within each of these seven domains (such as what is occurring in this person’s life?), as well as the enduring impacts of colonisation and intergenerational trauma experienced.

BEING – Cultural Respect 

Building safe and supportive environments  

Cultural safety is about being aware of the impact of your own culture and cultural values on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while creating and maintaining an environment where all people are treated in a culturally respectful manner.  

Some examples of environments (whether in a 1:1, group or organisation-wide setting) that show respect and establish safe spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples include: 

• Understanding and accepting the wrongs of the past and their impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 

• Valuing and recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage as a proud part of a shared national identity (such as including an Acknowledgment of Country at the beginning of meetings) 

• Listening and showing respectful interest in culture, past experience and personal circumstances 

• Adopting a ‘nothing about us without us’ approach where support services and resources are developed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples  

• Considering the seven domains of social and emotional wellbeing when offering support 

• Recognising that trust is earned over time through authentic and genuine conversations and connection 

When we respect the collective and individual diversity of people – with acknowledgement of needs, challenges, strengths and differences – we are better able to tailor support that makes a real difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

DOING – Cultural Responsiveness 

Investing in skills-based training  

Cultural responsiveness refers to actively adapting one’s behaviour and communication style to suit the cultural context of the situation. It demonstrates a willingness to learn, evolve and adjust to people’s individual experiences and cultures. Doing so creates a safe space for people to share their challenges and ultimately seek the support they need. 

 The first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA course was an adaptation of the Standard MHFA course, developed in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Since then, through continued consultation and development by an Aboriginal Curriculum Developer, the course has evolved into a culturally informed program that is embedded with social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) principles, uses strengths-based language, and includes cultural grounding and ‘yarn up’ practices.  

Today, the program includes two core courses and three specialised courses, all developed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Best-practice guidelines have also been created to inform future course development, enhance content, and ensure the ongoing cultural capability of the training. 

Karen Bates, who leads our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs directorate and proud Barkindji woman, explains what makes the courses unique. 

‘Our courses are developed by and for First Nations peoples. They’re enriched with culturally informed and relatable content and utilise techniques such as cultural ‘yarn ups’ to generate relevant discussion and ideas. They take into account local perspectives and experiences and utilise lived-experience stories and First Nations photography, film and art works.

This representation truly matters, and it leads to better outcomes for both the training participants, and then in turn the people they will go on to support.’

To-date we have trained over 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Instructors (with 300 active today) who have gone on to deliver over 7,500 courses, equipping more than 35,000 people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a culturally informed and considered way.

More than understanding, cultural responsiveness is a commitment to act on knowledge through skills-based training. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA courses teach participants how to recognise someone is experiencing mental health problems through the lens of the seven social and emotional wellbeing domains, approach someone they are concerned about, and initiate a conversation in a culturally informed way.

The below, Figure 2, summarises the three cultural considerations when supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

By understanding the holistic nature of social and emotional wellbeing, fostering culturally safe environments, and engaging in skills-based training, individuals and organisations can play an active role in creating a future where First Nations peoples feel seen, heard, and supported on their own terms.