Topic: Aboriginal health

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

       

Australian people will come together from 27 May to 3 June to mark National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025, a time to learn about our shared history and strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.

This year’s theme, “Bridging Now to Next,” encourages all Australians to take steps forward, guided by the lessons of the past, to help build a more united and respectful nation.

This year’s artwork, created by Kalkadoon artist Bree Buttenshaw, features native plants which regenerate after fire, symbolising strength, renewal and hope.

It also is a reminder to come together so we can grow through challenges and continue the journey of reconciliation.

Reconciliation is a shared responsibility, and it must live in our hearts, minds and actions. While Australia has made progress, there have also been setbacks. This theme invites us to keep moving forward together.

At SWSPHN, we’re committed to playing our part in reconciliation by learning, listening, and fostering a culture which values and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures.

We encourage everyone to take a moment during National Reconciliation Week to reflect, engage in a local event, or explore resources to deepen your understanding of reconciliation. Even small actions can help us move forward together.

This year also marks 25 years since Corroboree 2000, when thousands of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people of Australia, walked together across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to show support for reconciliation. This powerful moment is still remembered as a turning point in our national story.

NRW takes place each year between two key milestones in the reconciliation journey: 

• the 1967 Referendum, when Australians voted to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Census 
• the 1992 Mabo decision, which recognised native title and challenged the myth of terra nullius 

Today, NRW is celebrated in schools, workplaces, community groups and homes around the country. It’s a time to reflect, learn, and take meaningful action. 

Find out more at reconciliation.org.au or by searching #NRW2025. 

Find out more about what we do to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

The mobile service provides an accurate, reliable and precise bone mineral density measurement, negating the need for patients to travel to a major hospital or radiology lab to have their bone density measured. 

Tharawal nurse Joanne Ross said the aim of the visit was to promote lifelong bone health through public awareness, education and knowledge of osteoporosis. 

“Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become fragile and brittle, leading to a higher risk of fractures than in normal bone,” Ms Ross said.

“Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose minerals, such as calcium, more quickly than the body can replace them, leading to a loss of bone thickness so that even a minor bump or accident can cause serious fractures.” 

Any bone can be affected by osteoporosis, but the most common sites are bones in the hip, spine, wrist, ribs, pelvis and upper arm. 

Although the arrival of the bus on Halloween was coincidental, staff at Tharawal took the opportunity to have some fun with it. They dressed in skeleton costumes and had a face painter on site to help the local children get ready for their night of trick or treating. 

“Everyone over 70 who hadn’t had a bone scan within the previous two years, as well as those over 50 with certain medical conditions, was eligible for the scan which was bulk-billed through Medicare,” Ms Ross said. 

“Of the 43 that booked for the day we had 35 turn up, which was a good result.” 

Find out about the Bone Bus