As NAIDOC Week celebrations begin across the country, headspace is encouraging First Nations families to seek support for their young people's mental health - reinforcing that no one should face these challenges alone and that culturally-safe support is available.
New findings from headspace's National Family Mental Health Survey reveal that half (51%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families describe themselves as "highly concerned" about their young person's mental health - significantly higher than the average (31%). However, three in four (76%) First Nations families report feeling stigma around seeking support - a factor that can delay or prevent families from accessing the help they need.
Despite these challenges, First Nations families are actively supporting the mental health of their young people - with 65% encouraging them to seek help (compared to 43% of all respondents) and 60% (vs 44%) talking about mental health at least once a week.
Notably, nine in ten family members have sought help to better support their young person, most often turning to trusted networks such as family, cultural or religious leaders, and their community, rather than mainstream health services such as GPs.
The nationwide online survey of 2,059 Australians caring for 12- to 25-year-olds aims to bring to light the mental health, wellbeing, attitudes and experiences of family members supporting the mental health of young Australians.
The research highlights the broader pressures faced by those caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, with 14% of families saying they feel socially excluded when trying to access support. Other barriers to seeking support disproportionately reported by First Nations families include hours of support available (42%), lack of time (23%), appointments not being long enough (32%), mis or disinformation (29%) and information being too hard to understand (19%).
This NAIDOC Week, headspace is urging First Nations families to stay connected, lean on trusted networks, and reach out for support - whether through community, cultural groups or local headspace centres - to ensure young people can get the help they need, when they need it.
Jacara Egan, headspace's Head of Operations, First Nations Cultural Practice and Engagement, says headspace is deeply committed to embedding the practices, principles and values of First Nations people to enable self-determination and empowerment.
"This NAIDOC Week, we're reminded of the power of community and culture in supporting mental health. At headspace, we've heard from community that culturally-safe care is essential. That's why we're proud to partner with First Nations young people and families to deliver support that's informed by lived experience within Indigenous communities and grounded in cultural safety."
Over the past year, headspace has supported over 11,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people with their mental health. More than 100 First Nations staff provide tailored in-person and online support, including at First Nations-led headspace centres in Broome, Alice Springs, Mount Isa and Kununurra, and a soon-to-be-opened Deception Bay service.
The First Nations-focused outreach services recently established in the remote communities of Yulara and Mutitjulu in the Northern Territory also play a crucial role in ensuring culturally-safe support for young people in these communities.
Kadijah McPherson-Jabateh (they/them), a 22-year-old proud Indigenous person, born and raised on Kaurna Land, is part of headspace's First Nations Youth Advisory Council, which was established in 2023 to support, guide and provide culturally responsible advice on ways of working with First Nations young people and families.
Kadijah says that shame about mental health among First Nations people can make it hard to reach out for help: "There's a deep-rooted distrust in large organisations and corporate services - especially those created and run by non-Indigenous people. Many of these institutions don't have a strong track record of supporting First Nations youth in culturally safe ways.
"A lot of the mental health challenges we face are intergenerational and have been passed down through our families. But I've noticed a shift. Within my own social circles, mental health literacy and awareness are definitely improving."
"Our Elders are showing up at marches and rallies, encouraging everyone to speak openly about their mental health. It's also really encouraging to see more First Nations clinicians working in youth spaces - that representation matters."
Jaclyn*, a proud Indigenous woman (she/her) living on Githabul Country, who is a mother of six and grandmother of four, commented on the stigma that young men can feel: "There's a lot more stigma among Indigenous boys. My son used to tell his friends he was going to headspace for free donuts - it was easier than saying he needed support.
"For young men, admitting they're struggling can feel shameful. And in regional and rural communities, I believe it's getting harder for them to open up."
"My advice to other parents is to normalise it. Talk about your own mental health. Check in with your kids. And if you've had a good experience with a service, share that - it helps break down the stigma."
headspace centres across the country will be participating in NAIDOC Week events and attending their local flag raising ceremonies over the next week.
Young people aged 12 to 25, as well as their family and friends, can visit a headspace centre for in-person support. Help is also available via phone (1800 650 890) and online via eheadspace.
If you're looking for someone to talk to immediately, Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), and 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) are available to talk 24/7.
