Indigenous Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Clearinghouse

This paper explores the evidence for digital mental health tools, specifically web-based tools or mobile phone apps, for First Nations people. It highlights benefits of these resources, examples of best practice in their development, alongside barriers and challenges to their use. 

[Summary PDF | 2.44MB]

This paper reviews policies and recent programs and summarises what works in improving First Nations children’s and young people’s mental wellbeing and school attendance. It identifies gaps in existing literature and proposes opportunities for further research and evidence-based practice.

[Summary PDF | 2.37MB]

This article summarises existing evidence on physical activity and First Nations SEWB. It describes the policy context and actions as well as program approaches implemented with First Nations adults and children living in Australia.

[Summary PDF | 2.34MB]

This report highlights how Indigenous Australians’ experiences of domestic and family violence (DFV) are affected by current law, policy, programs and services. It discusses research and programs where DFV intersects with mental health and/or suicide and focuses on best practice and ways to improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

[Summary PDF | 2.83MB]

The link between exposure to trauma and increased risk of poor mental health is well established. This paper aims to define the link between intergenerational trauma and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ mental health and to identify current best-practice policies and programs to address this issue.

[Summary PDF | 2.28MB]

Racism and racial discrimination are key determinants of health and wellbeing. This article provides an overview of how racism affects the mental health of Indigenous Australians, their access to care and the policies and programs that address cultural safety in the health system.

[Summary PDF | 2.34MB]

This review provides an overview of available literature about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIASB+ people and social and emotional wellbeing. It also includes a comparative analysis of literature about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+ people and suicide.

[Summary PDF | 2.28MB]

This report provides essential information and statistics on mental health, suicide and self-harm among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It outlines contemporary Australian policy responses and directions, and risks and protective factors for mental health and suicide prevention. It explores evidence of best practice in mental health and suicide prevention.

Food security is considered a fundamental human right. Food insecurity increases psychological distress and compromises physiological wellbeing. This report looks at the extent of food insecurity affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and its effect on mental health and wellbeing, as well as what is being done to address it. It also considers the effectiveness of programs that address this multidimensional issue.

[Summary PDF | 2.29MB]

Historic suicide rates, socioeconomic circumstances, access to services and hospitalisations for mental health were used to create regional profiles of suicide risk. Six Indigenous Regions were found to have circumstances that categorise them as relatively high-risk for suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.