17-07-2025
As Blak families worry for their kids, new research shows the importance of culturally safe care
Warning: this article discusses themes that may be distressing to some readers, including self-harm. New research has revealed the desperate need for culturally safe care for First Nations youth suffering with mental health issues.
Figures from the National Family Mental Health Survey, conducted by headspace, reveal that a majority of Indigenous families are highly concerned for their young people's mental well-being.
That compares with just 31 per cent of the wider population. Kadijah McPherson-Jabateh, a 22 year old living on Kaurna Country, knows first hand the struggle of mental health issues, as well as navigating the systems supposed to help. "As a young child, I came to the realisation very quickly that these systems weren't made for Black people," they told NITV. "They were made to oppress us." Encountering incorrect assumptions around substance abuse and their family structure, Kadijah said the lack of First Nations staff made them feel unsafe. "There was no mutual understanding ... these institutions have no idea of what it's like to live as an Indigenous person, and they never will."
The same study revealed that First Nations families are actively using their community and networks to discuss mental health struggles at a higher rate compared to all respondents.
However these discussions are not translating into seeking professional help through services. Jacara Egan is the head of operations for headspace's First Nations cultural practice and engagement. She says it's vital that Indigenous people feel confident they can avoid experiences like Kadijah's when they seek help. "When they ... have that bravery to take that step, they need to land somewhere that's culturally safe and responsive to their needs," the Muthi Muthi Gunditjmara woman told NITV.
"Our family and our people are the experts in keeping themselves well, and we're really here to change the system to support them ... and support their young people."
Muthi Muthi Gunditjmara woman Jacara Egan says working with ACCHOs is vital for providing culturally safe care. Ms Egan says headspace, the national NGO founded in 2006 to support youth mental health, has a number of services led by Aboriginal community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs). ACCHOs are proven to have high rates of retention and success in their wide ranging efforts to support Indigenous peoples' health and wellbeing. "We want to increase our ACCHO-led services," said Ms Egan.
"We're guided by the community [and] by the evidence base and data around providing good social emotional wellbeing, good mental health care for our mob."
Stigma, location pose significant barriers Jaclyn (not her real name) is an Indigenous grandmother living in Warwick, a rural town located in south-east Queensland. She says living remotely can pose unique challenges for those seeking help, especially young Blak kids. "Mental health doesn't discriminate, but often the experience of getting help does," she told NITV. "So my youngest son is 19, and has had significant mental health while he was at school. "Being a small community, in a rural community, it's extra hard as well ... the wait list is long for any psychological help.
"The services are limited when you're in rural and even more so remote."
A lack of access to services, as well as community pressure to be stoic, can have devastating results. "We've had a high rate of young people suicide in our community," said Jaclyn. Kadijah now works in the mental health space themselves, trying to combat the very misunderstandings they encountered as a young person. In their role with the First Nations Youth Advisory Council for headspace, they've seen positive changes. "It's not 100 per cent there yet, and I don't think we'll be there for a very long time, but I've definitely seen a positive switch," she said. "Social media is thriving. I'm seeing online support systems, I'm seeing people reach out via social media to connect with other young Black mob who are struggling. "At headspace, we have that Yarn Space option. Once a week you can hop online, speak to other Black kids around the country. "Everything that they've told me, it seems to be really hitting the spot with what we need.
"But we could always do more."
