Australia's national youth mental health foundation, headspace, has today launched a suite of new resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, empowering them to take charge of their social and emotional wellbeing.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 24 and under are three times more likely than other young people to die by suicide[1]. Responding to this urgent need for support, the 'Take a Step' campaign encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to recognise the signs that something's not right - and provides small, practical steps towards feeling better.
The materials have been developed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members from across Australia, including a reference group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people with lived experience of mental ill-health.
headspace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Practice & Engagement Coordinator William Oui 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 seek help when you're not feeling too deadly," William, a Torres Strait Islander man, said.
