First Nations health and beyond

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our region

of whom are under 25

Rainbow Mob Inclusion

NWMPHN commissioned the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) to produce the ‘Rainbow Mob Health’ training module in collaboration with the University of Melbourne’s Wurru Wurru Health Unit. The module enables better care for Rainbow Mob – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQ+ people, sistergirls and brotherboys.

Pictured: Rainbow Mob Health training module. (Image supplied.)

Aboriginal youth enhanced mental health program

NWMPHN commissions VAHS to provide treatment and support to young Aboriginal people experiencing, or at risk of, severe mental health issues.

This program delivers culturally safe mental health support through child psychiatry practices, psychological therapies, and tailored case management, improving wellbeing for Aboriginal youth.

The central role of Aboriginal health workers ensures cultural sensitivity is considered during engagement, and complements the work of non-Aboriginal clinicians.

Pictured: Mahlia Peachey, Operational Lead at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in St Albans. (Image: Leigh Henningham)

Integrated Team Care

The Integrated Team Care program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with complex chronic health conditions to better manage their health. It connects patients with care coordinators, Aboriginal outreach workers, supplementary services and social supports.

It was first commissioned from 2016 to 2022, and was then renewed in an enhanced form until 2025.

Social and emotional wellbeing supports for Aboriginal Elders in residential care

NWMPHN commissioned Aboriginal Community Elder Services to provide social and emotional wellbeing supports to residents of its Brunswick East aged care home.

The program improves the psychological health and wellbeing of residents by:

• delivering relevant individual and group supports
• enhancing resources for Elders to better support mental health
• providing linkages to other services and supports.

Mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults

VAHS’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult mental health program provides treatment and support to people experiencing, or at risk of, mild to moderate mental health and wellbeing concerns. It operates though a social and emotional wellbeing model, and client-directed, strengths-based care.

Care coordinators help clients to connect to services such as legal advice, allied health, housing, AOD, Centrelink, child protection, financial counselling, food security and emergency supports.

VAHS alcohol and other drug service

VAHS provides support to members of the Aboriginal community who have concerns of alcohol or other drug misuse.

The AOD service is a part of an integrated program, providing services  through a social and emotional wellbeing framework that is trauma-informed and culturally safe.