Bringing family, community, culture and country to the centre of health care: culturally appropriate models for improving mental health and wellbeing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people

The high burden of mental health issues experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) young people (10 24 years) is a national emergency, yet evidence for effective health sector responses is limited, as is an understanding of self-harm and suicide outcomes. Aboriginal young people report barriers to health care access including knowing where to find services that are culturally appropriate, and parents and Aboriginal health services express concern about low engagement of their young people with needed mental health care. Integrated approaches across health, education and welfare are indicated with primary care being a universally available entry point. Our program will address these evidence gaps by working with Aboriginal young people, their families, community and health services to achieve innovative co-produced research, capacity building, and translation of outcomes to change health practice and policy.