“At the end of the day, even if every Aboriginal person in the country could get access to a psychologist, it means nothing if they aren’t culturally aware or trained. It’s not as simple as just getting access to care, but also for counsellors and psychologists to decolonise their understanding of therapy.”
– Aretha Brown,  Gumbaynggir artist and activist 

“A decolonized approach to mental health acknowledges collective healing and community care models, not just individual healing. That means recognizing the role of intergenerational or historic trauma, in addition to individual trauma. You also have to look at how ancestral trauma (like displacement or enslavement) translates to present-day oppression and inequality. You can’t heal a person’s individual suffering without addressing these collective contexts.”
– Jackie Manjivar, journalist and youth mental health worker 

Decolonising mental health is about recognising the historical and present realities of oppression and dispossession that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is also focused on challenging the Westernised understanding of care. A decolonial approach recognises the importance of community and culture in helping improve the mental health of Indigenous young people.  

How to find the right counsellor

Finding the right counsellor can be hard, especially when psychology today revolves around Westernised ways of thinking about and approaching mental health, and this simply doesn’t meet everyone’s needs. 

If you’re struggling to connect with and trust your counsellor, it might be time to move on. Remember that there are plenty of other counsellors out there and it’s not worth it if you feel unsafe, uncomfortable or like they simply don’t understand your unique challenges. At the end of the day, you want a counsellor that just gets it.

Culturally unsafe and unethical behaviour can happen in counselling sessions, especially when the counsellor is thinking through a Western and profit-oriented lens. Remember that this is not okay and if a counsellor ever engages in unethical or unlawful behaviour it’s their fault, not yours. 

Booking a couple of consultations is a good way to get an idea of what different counsellors can offer and who might be the best fit for you. Many counsellors offer a free, short consultation session to chat about your needs, what treatments they can offer, and more so you can assess whether it might be the right fit. 

Here are some great directories that list mental health professionals who are First Nations and POC: 

• Pola Practice directory of culturally responsive therapists 
• Our Directory – Mental Health Supports for Mob, Māori and BIPOC
• Shapes and Sounds list of Asian Australian mental health practitioners

Community support programs

Within a Western understanding of health and well-being, mental health is sometimes seen as an individual issue with individual solutions. Part of decolonising mental health is recognising the importance of community and culture. This means the medical model of care, such as counselling, might not always be the best fit. There are many programs available to support Indigenous young people who are struggling. Whether it’s about needing help at school or feeling isolated from community, there are people and programs to help. 

Here are some programs that aim to support Indigenous young people through community support and advocacy:

• Koorie Youth Council: amplifies the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people across Victoria.
• VACCA Koorie Kids Stay @ School: offers resources to support the educational journey of Indigenous Children in Victoria. 
• 3Bridges has a variety of Indigenous Learning Programs in Sydney, offering enriching and supportive environments for young people who need support or want to learn more about culture.
  • Burbangana Aboriginal Youth Mentoring Program
  • Traditional Indigenous Games
  • Yarning Circle
  • Traditional Art
  • Roots Program
  • Yarn Up (a drop-in session every Tuesday afternoon)

Where to get help

If you need immediate support please contact these support services. 

• 13Yarn is an Indigenous-specific support service that is ready to listen and help. 
• Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
• Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14
• If you are struggling after the suicide of some in your life please reach out to The National Indigenous Postvention Service – After Suicide Support 24/7 – 1800 805 801
• WellMob is an online directory that brings together online resources made by and for mob. Here you will find a range of online material such as websites, videos, social media, and online programs with a focus on wellbeing