The importance of timely, integrated and community-led care, and the growth of digital approaches to care, were among the key takeaways from the National Indigenous Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Conference 2026 for our Mental Health and AOD team.
Mental Health and AOD team representatives David Donatini and Kashish Arora attended the annual three-day conference in Adelaide from 24 to 26 March.
The conference brought together sector leaders to share knowledge and strengthen approaches to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and suicide prevention. It had a particular focus on social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB), culturally safe care and community-led solutions.
David and Kashish participated in panel discussions, yarning circles and networked with service providers, clinicians, researchers, government representatives, and Indigenous community leaders, Elders and those with lived experience.
Key messages from the conference included:
- culture is central to wellbeing and healing
- there is a strong push for earlier, community-led support, especially for young people
- mental health is closely linked with housing, justice, trauma and other social determinants, which means responses need to be more holistic
- community-led approaches consistently show better outcomes because they feel more relevant, trusted and effective
- some of the most impactful lessons come from lived experience and yarning approaches
- there’s still a gap when it comes to culturally safe services
- digital approaches to SEWB are growing. They need to stay grounded in culture and connection, not just replicate mainstream models online
