Recommended resources
In addition to the content present on the Clearinghouse, below are government and non-government resources related to mental health, suicide prevention, and social and emotional wellbeing.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare resources
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) publishes data and information on mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention and other related health and welfare issues.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework brings together information from numerous sources to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date view of the state of First Nations health outcomes, health system performance and the broader determinants of health in one area. It is designed to inform policy, planning, program development and research.
- Mental Health site describes the activity and characteristics of Australia’s health and social care services accessed by people with a mental illness. It includes mental health-related services provided by various levels of government, how much was spent, who provided the funds, where mental health services were delivered and data on the mental health workforce.
- Regional Insights for Indigenous Communities (RIFIC) hosts a range of regional statistics about the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities. The aim of the website is to provide access to data at a local level, to help communities set their priorities and participate in joint planning with government and service providers.
- Suicide and Self-harm Monitoring site publishes key statistical data on suicide and self-harm from multiple national sources that are updated regularly as new data become available.
Key bodies and government agencies
The Black Dog Institute is a not-for-profit medical research institute that investigates and aims to better mental health across the lifespan through ‘translational’ research. The institute partners with federal, state and local governments, communities, schools, corporate Australia and others in the mental health sector, with a focus on ensuring that people with lived experience guides its research. The Black Dog Institute Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre elevates the voices of First Nations people and shares their stories to co-design, inform, and deliver culturally safe mental health and suicide prevention initiatives, trauma-informed services, care, and programs. For more information, see the Black Dog Institute website.
The CBPATSISP Clearinghouse has been designed to encourage and support the development and implementation of culturally safe and evidence-informed suicide prevention programs, services and research in First Nations communities across Australia. The CBPATSISP Clearinghouse is a repository for programs, services, guidelines, resources and research that are considered to be best practice in First Nations suicide prevention. For more information, see the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention website.
The Department of Health and Aged Care is responsible for developing and delivering policies and programs and advise the Australian Government on health, aged care and sport. Among other things, it is trying to strengthen the mental health system and to improve the health of improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the Indigenous Australians Health Program. For more information, see the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Established in March 2020, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is the new national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership body for social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention. It is governed and controlled by First Nations experts and peak bodies that work in these areas to promote excellence in mental health care. Gayaa Dhuwi is responsible for the renewal of the NATSISPS and works closely with the CBPATSISP and the Suicide Prevention Taskforce. For more information, see the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia website.
The Lowitja Institute, named after Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG, is a First Nations health research organisation committed to high quality research, knowledge translation and the support of First Nations health researchers. For more information, see the Lowitja Institute website.
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) is the national leadership body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in Australia. It provides advice and guidance to the Australian Government on policy and budget matters while advocating for community-developed health solutions that contribute to the quality of life and improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. NACCHO represents 145 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), which are initiated and operated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to deliver holistic, comprehensive and culturally competent primary health care services.
NACCHO has been funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care to rollout the Culture Care Connect program. This funding supports the establishment of community-controlled suicide prevention networks, community-controlled aftercare services and the co-ordination and delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health first aid training. For more information, see the NACCHO website.
The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) has overarching responsibility for implementing the Closing the Gap targets. It develops and coordinates advice for policies, programs and service delivery for First Nations people in Australia. For more information, see the National Indigenous Australians Agency website.
The National Mental Health Commission provides evidence and advice on improving Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention systems. This is done through its core function of monitoring and reporting mental health outcomes. For more information, see the National Mental Health Commission website.
Other resources
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet commenced in 1997 as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Clearinghouse. The website houses research, data collection, synthesis of data and other information obtained from academic, professional, government and other sources. For more information, see Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
The Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse is a national resource on First Nations justice. The aim is to promote discussion and disseminate relevant First Nations justice information to government policy makers and those working in First Nations justice areas. The website provides access to publications, databases and research. For more information, see the Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse.
This practical resource describes best-practice preventative primary health care for First Nations. The guidelines were developed by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). The fourth edition of these guidelines was released in 2024. For more information, see National guide to a preventive health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.