Decolonising mental health when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN), Australia, June 2023

Related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, Child mental health

Resource Summary

This webinar co-produced with the Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN) discusses the importance of decolonising mental health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, and strategies that support the cultural needs of First Nations children and families at an individual, family and community level.

Facilitated by Dana Shen (Aboriginal cultural consultant, SA), our panellists include:

Professor Pat Dudgeon (psychologist, WA)
Shirley Young (Aboriginal social worker, SA)
Tileah Drahm-Butler (social worker, SA)

Slides Panel bios Supporting resources

Discover more resources

Toolkit

Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children toolkit

Emerging Minds

This toolkit draws from the expertise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consultants, practitioners, non-Indigenous practitioners and Aboriginal and non-Indigenous organisations. Rather than focusing on why it is difficult to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, their families and communities, it will explore how non-Indigenous practitioners and services can develop genuine connections with First Nations people and communities to create the best conditions for effective service delivery; services based on respect, learning and creating shared understandings.
Fact sheet

Key considerations when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experience advocates

Emerging Minds, Rosetta Milera, Neva Wilson and Josie-Anne Wilson

This factsheet outlines key considerations for engaging and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experience advocates.
Guide

Healing through voice, culture and Country: Short films

Emerging Minds

There are many ways that organisations can help practitioners to work proactively and in culturally sensitive ways with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents. These include (but are not limited to) providing supervision and training on child-focused ways to identify and respond to presentations of family violence; providing cultural supervision and mentoring from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to support meaningful and confident engagement; and working collaboratively with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to co-design appropriate and effective responses to families who are affected by violence.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: February 2025

Prepared by AIFS

This February 2025 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Webinar

Supporting non-offending parents after child sexual abuse

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) this webinar outlines some strategies that you can use to support non-offending parents following a child's disclosure of sexual abuse.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: December 2024 to January 2025

Prepared by AIFS

This December 2024 and January 2025 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Short article

Why meaningful participation for children in out-of-home care is essential

Joanna Schwarzman, Kristel Alla and Hilary Miller, Australian Institute of Family Studies

This short article outlines why engaging in meaningful participation with children in out-of-home care is central to supporting their wellbeing and respecting their right to participate.
Short article

Early Years Strategy 2024–2034: An overview

Kylie Butler, Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)

This short article provides information on the Early Years Strategy 2024–2034, including the key values and aims, how it was developed, and what this might mean for practitioners and professionals working with children aged 0–5 years and their families.
Webinar

Working with children who are experiencing or engaging in bullying behaviour

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), this webinar explores the impact of childhood bullying, how it affects mental health, the importance of prevention and early intervention, children’s perspectives on bullying, and strategies to work with children experiencing bullying or engaging in bullying behaviour.
Webinar

Supporting families to navigate tough times: The impact of financial and housing insecurity, isolation and discrimination

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), this webinar introduces practitioners to a new collection of resources from Emerging Minds that has been created by families who have got through tough times.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: November 2024

Prepared by AIFS

This November 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Short article

Individual and family factors associated with child mental health and wellbeing

Melissa Willoughby and Joanna Schwarzman, Australian Institute of Family Studies

This short article describes the research evidence on individual and family factors associated with child mental health and wellbeing.

Decolonising mental health when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN), Australia, June 2023

Resource Summary

Discover more resources

Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children toolkit

Key considerations when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experience advocates

Healing through voice, culture and Country: Short films

Highlights in child mental health research: February 2025

Supporting non-offending parents after child sexual abuse

Highlights in child mental health research: December 2024 to January 2025

Why meaningful participation for children in out-of-home care is essential

Early Years Strategy 2024–2034: An overview

Working with children who are experiencing or engaging in bullying behaviour

Supporting families to navigate tough times: The impact of financial and housing insecurity, isolation and discrimination

Highlights in child mental health research: November 2024

Individual and family factors associated with child mental health and wellbeing

Subscribe to our newsletters

Subscribe to our newsletters

Subscribe to our newsletters (modal)