What is social and emotional wellbeing?

For many Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, being healthy involves your physical, social, emotional and cultural wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of your whole community.

Your social and emotional wellbeing might include your:

• social connections
• emotional health
• spiritual wellbeing
• cultural wellbeing

This also recognises your connection to:

• land (Country)
• sea
• culture
• spirituality
• family
• community

Another term people use to describe a person's social and emotional wellbeing is mental health. Mental health describes how you think, feel and cope with daily life. Mental wellbeing is only one part of your health and does not fully describe all the factors that influence wellbeing.

What things help make me feel strong and resilient?

Things that can protect your strength and emotional wellbeing are:

• social connectedness and a sense of belonging
• connection to spirit, spirituality and ancestors
• connection to family and community
• connection to body, mind and your emotions
• connection to Country by living on or near traditional lands

There are also social, historical and political factors that can help you to feel strong such as:

• self-determination
• strong community leadership
• sharing cultural practices with others

These factors are all connected and it's important to look after all aspects of your social and emotional wellbeing. Draw strength from family, friends and community.

What factors can affect my social emotional wellbeing?

Factors that can affect your social and emotional wellbeing may include:

• widespread grief and loss
• separation from culture and identity
• economic and social disadvantage
• physical health problems
• prison
• violence
• misuse of drugs and alcohol

Racial discrimination and social exclusion impact on wellbeing. Most people who have experienced racial discrimination report feelings of psychological distress.

These factors usually don't happen alone; they occur in combination and the effects add up.

The Stolen Generations

Since colonisation, Australian governments and churches took thousands of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children from their families. Children were placed in institutions or adopted by families outside of their communities. These children are known as the Stolen Generations.

The exact number of children who were taken isn't known. Very few families were not affected. Some families had 3 generations of children removed.

The removal of children broke important cultural, spiritual and family ties. Children experienced abuse, racism and exploitation. This has deeply affected the social and emotional health of survivors, their children, and their communities.

In 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered an apology to the Stolen Generations on behalf of the Australian parliament.

What can I do to improve my social and emotional well-being?

It is important that you take care of yourself so that you can look after your family and community. There is a lot you can do to improve your social and emotional wellbeing.

Here are some tips to look after your mental wellbeing:

• find someone you can talk to
• talk kindly to yourself
• take a break to relax
• acknowledge your feelings

To look after your body:

• eat healthy food
• get enough sleep
• exercise every day
• avoid using alcohol or drugs to make yourself feel better

To look after your social and emotional wellbeing:

• stay connected to your land and community
• value your culture and spirituality
• stay connected to your family and friends
• engage in spiritual or cultural practices

If you are having a difficult time taking care of your social and emotional wellbeing and health, see your doctor or reach out to a counsellor for help.

Getting help — yarning about my social emotional wellbeing

When you've got a lot going on it's normal to feel sad, angry or stressed. But if you have been feeling sad for more than 2 weeks this could be a sign of depression. And if you find yourself worrying too much, you may be experiencing anxiety.

Read more on medicines to treat depression.

Read more on medicines for anxiety.

There are many types of support and healing to help you with depression and anxiety.

If you feel like you need support or healing for any reason, there are people who can help you. A good place to start is your local doctor or Aboriginal Health Worker. Other names for services include:

• Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO)
• Aboriginal Health Service
• Indigenous Health Worker
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and medical services

It might help to write down your symptoms or worries before your appointment, so it's easier to explain what you're going through. Most mental illnesses can be healed. If you get help, there's every chance that your condition will improve.

If you are thinking about suicide, it's important to get help and see a doctor as soon as possible.

You can find an Aboriginal Medical Service or Health Worker on the HealthInfoNet website.

How can I improve my mental health?

There are many ways that you can improve your mental health, including:

• looking after yourself by spending time outside, eating a healthy diet, exercising and getting enough sleep
• stop smoking and drinking alcohol
• talk therapy with a counsellor or mental health worker
• traditional spiritual healing

There are also:

• online resources with more tips on good mental health
• phone apps for building your emotional wellbeing

Resources and support

Here are some phone numbers and online chat services you can use:

• 13YARN — to talk with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Support. Call 13 92 76.
• Counselling Online — for anyone with a drug or alcohol problem. Call 1800 888 236 or chat online.
• Lifeline (for anyone having a personal crisis) — call 13 11 14 or chat online.

Visit a National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) for culturally safe support — find one near you.

For more support, visit these websites:

• Proppa Deadly — people tell their stories about living with depression and anxiety.
• WellMob Healing Our Way — social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing online resources.
• Beyond Blue — videos and fact sheets about depression and anxiety.
• NPS MedicineWise — About Depression Medicines; Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Resources and support for children and young people

The following resources are suitable for children and young people:

• ReachOut Australia (for people aged 14 to 25 years) — website and online forum
• Yarn Safe by headspace (for people aged 12 to 25 years) — chat online
• Kids Helpline (for people aged 5 to 25 years) — call 1800 55 1800 or chat online

Resources and support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander males

Call Brother to Brother Dardi Munwurro on 1800 435 799.