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Cultural considerations and communication techniques: guidelines for providing mental health first aid to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person (2008)

Author

Mental Health First Aid Australia

Publisher

Mental Health First Aid Australia

City

Melbourne

Type

Factsheet

Description

These guidelines are a general set of recommendations about how members of the public can help an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who may be developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis. The guidelines provide information on cultural considerations and communication techniques that members of the public should be aware of when providing mental health first aid. The following areas are covered:

learning about the person's culture and their concept of mental illness
knowing what is normal and what is not in the person's culture
knowing what is culturally appropriate communication
not shaming the person, their family, or community
using community and family supports.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

When to use this resource

These guidelines should be used by members of the public who are providing help or support to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis. The guidelines are a list of recommendations only and should not be used in the place of professional help.