Indigenous Mental Health First Aid

    2. Programs Indigenous Mental Health First Aid

Indigenous Australians experience mental health issues at a higher rate than non-Indigenous Australians with deaths from suicide being almost twice as high, hospitalisation rates for intentional self-harm three times as high, and the rate of high psychological distress 2.4 times as high as for non-Indigenous Australians

To support our Aboriginal Communities, local industries and employers tackle the issue of mental health we have established a national team of Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid trainers who are committed to making a difference.

We have the expertise to deliver the following Mental Health Training Packages

Standard Mental Health First Aid

Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training helps mobilise and empower adults in the workplace and community by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to recognise, understand and respond to another adult experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis.

Youth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid (YAMHFA)

Developed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people this practical, strengths-based course teaches participants how to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional support is received or the crisis resolves.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid (AMHFA)

This 14-hour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid course is for any interested adult. Those participating will learn practical skills in how to assist an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.


This evidence-based course is founded on the expert consensus of Aboriginal mental health professionals, many of whom also have lived experience in mental health.

Deadly Thinking

Deadly Thinking is a social, emotional well-being and suicide prevention program specifically designed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.


Deadly Thinking workshops encourage participants to stay strong and connected to culture and country, and explore ways to promote social and emotional well-being for individuals, family and mob.

Good News Story: Cobi Hollow Carvan Park

On 5 April 2023, Yilabara Solutions delivered the Deadly Thinking Youth training program to a group of young people in Menindee at Cobi Hollow Carvan Park.

Designed for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 12-17 years, this social and emotional wellbeing program was developed by Rural and Remote Mental Health and is being delivered under Yilabara’s Indigenous Mental Health First Aid Program. This includes Indigenous mental health first aid training which teaches first aid skills to those supporting Indigenous people with mental health issues.

Yilabara has delivered over 40 workshops to over 400 community members across Australia in collaboration with the National Wellbeing Alliance. The Indigenous Mental Health First Aid program is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

Yilabara has been sub-contracted by the National Wellbeing Alliance to support the delivery of an Indigenous Mental Health First Aid project across Australia

The project is committed to raising awareness of mental health across Aboriginal Communities and provides both frontline workers and Aboriginal Communities the skills they need to address mental health issues in their community.

Communities where we have delivered workshops

New South Wales (17 Communities)

  • Albury
  • Balranald
  • Brewarrina
  • Broken Hill
  • Cobar
  • Coffs Harbour
  • Coleambally
  • Condoblin
  • Dubbo
  • Gosford
  • Griffith
  • Menindee
  • Newcastle
  • Sydney
  • Townsend
  • Walgett
  • Wilcannia

Queensland (10 Communities)

  • Bamaga
  • Brisbane
  • Cloncurry
  • Gordonvale
  • Hervey Bay
  • Ipswich
  • Mackay
  • Mornington Island
  • Mossman
  • Toowoomba

Northern Territory (21 Communities)

  • Alice Springs
  • Ampilatwatja
  • Arlparra
  • Batchelor
  • Bathurst Island
  • Belyuen
  • Borroloola
  • Darwin
  • Gunbalanya
  • Jabiru
  • Katherine
  • Kalkarindji
  • Milikapti, Tiwi Island
  • Minjaling
  • Nhulunbuy
  • Numbulwar
  • Palmerston
  • Pirlangimpi, Tiwi Island
  • Timber Creek
  • Tiwi Island
  • Wurrumiyanga, Tiwi Island

Torres Strait (1 Community)

  • Thursday Island

Western Australia (2 Communities)

  • Bidyadanga
  • Warnum

South Australia (1 Community)

  • Coober Pedy

Tasmania (2 Communities)

  • Goodward
  • Smithton

Victoria (3 Communities)

  • Ballarat
  • Morwell
  • Warnambool

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues these 24-hour support lines can assist

  • 13Yarn (13 92 76) to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter
  • 13 11 14 – Lifeline 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention
  • 1300 659 467 – Suicide Call Back providing 24/7 support to people affected by suicide
  • 1300 224 636 – Beyond Blue phone counselling

What we’ve achieved

1560

Aboriginal community members and frontline staff trained

110

Indigenous Mental Health Workshops delivered across Australia including Deadly Thinking Youth

57

Aboriginal communities in remote and regional Australia have benefited from our Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid training delivered in collaboration with the National Wellbeing Alliance

Enquire about our Mental Health Training Packages

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