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Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing

Social & Emotional Wellbeing Framework

The Social & Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) framework has been created in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia, and is informed by cultural ways of knowing, being, and doing; it recognises the importance of culture and history as important factors that, inform and guide understandings of health & mental health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

SEWB fact sheet 3

SEWB diagram adapted from Gee et al., (2014) 

Self
The sense of self is grounded in a collectivist perspective that understands self as intrinsically intertwined with a family and community. Stronger connections to culture and Country builds individual and collective identities. Empowerment, pride, and strong identity contributes to sense of self and feeling whole.

Determinates of Health
Outside of these domains of wellbeing are several important structural determinates that shape the dynamics of power, human rights and justice, and the access and distribution of resources- all of which are central to shared historical experiences of trauma and resistance among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Expressions & Experiences
Over the lifespan there is an ebb and flow of change as risk factors disrupt connections and protective restore and strengthen connections. Resilient and empowered individuals and communities maximise exposure to risk factors.

Sourced: Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing

More support

Koorie Mental Health Liaison Officer (KMHLO)

The Koorie Mental Health Liaison Officer (KMHLO) is able to provide culturally appropriate support from triage to discharge for inpatients experiencing mental health issues and patients accessing Emergency Department. The KMHLO is able to provide advocacy and support during business hours to Aboriginal patients and their families and cultural advice and support to Barwon Health staff and clinicians within the Acute Health setting.

Phone: 0466 378 409
8am - 4pm, Monday – Friday

Last Modified: Wednesday, 22 February 2023