Indigenous Wellbeing Conference 2023

Two-day conference aiming to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations Australian, Māori and Pasifika people

Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association (ANZMHA) presents Indigenous Wellbeing Conference 2023 – Our Voices | Our Solutions | Our Decisions | Our Time

Now in its third year, the Indigenous Wellbeing Conference:

• Celebrates Indigenous community, culture and identity to help advance social and emotional wellbeing for all First Nations Australian, Māori and Pasifika people.
• Highlights the importance of connection to country, culture, spirituality and ancestry and the roles they play in wellbeing for all First Nations Australian, Māori and Pasifika people.
• Brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to conceptualise and strategise solutions to the most important wellbeing needs of all First Nations Australian, Māori and Pasifika people.

Let’s work together to improve the wellness, wellbeing and health of all Indigenous, First Nations Australian, Māori and Pasifika.

As this conference is being held on local Larrakia land for 2023, the language and culture has been honoured and highlighted wherever possible. The Conference Committee are grateful for their hospitality and look forward to welcoming you and your cultural background so all attendees can collectively celebrate First Nation’s social and emotional wellbeing.

Did you know?

• In 2018–19, based on self-reported survey responses, an estimated 24% of Indigenous Australians reported having a diagnosed mental health or behavioural condition and 3 in 10 (31%) Indigenous adults reported ‘high or very high’ levels of psychological distress.
• Data from 2016–2020 show that the rate for suicide of Indigenous Australians is almost twice the rate of non-Indigenous Australians, with the differences being greater for people aged under 45. It was also the leading cause of death for Indigenous children aged 5–17.
• in 2018, Indigenous Australians as a whole lost almost 240,000 years of healthy life due to ill-health and premature death – equivalent to 289 years for every 1,000 people.
• Hospitalisation rates for medical conditions were consistently higher for Māori than for NMNP under-25-year olds from 2000 to 2019. 

The Conference will focus on four topics:

Social connectedness and belonging

• Isolation and disengagement with community
• The impact of racism on Indigenous Health and Well-being
• Celebrating a wider sense of identity—including a collective view of being connected to kin, culture and community
• Economic and social disadvantages including unemployment, housing, homelessness and financial stress – Inequality

Connection to land, culture, spirituality, ancestry

• Supporting Indigenous rangers to manage land and sea country
• Strengthening communities to develop and sustain economic independence in their regions
• Passing on of cultural values, beliefs, protocols and practices.
• Traditional Healing methods/Rongoā Māori and mobilising community natural helpers
• Power of Indigenous ways of respect, relationships, caring, view of life, living and passing

Funding and resources for community organisations

• Improving the health outcomes and access for Indigenous Communities
• Where are the government support systems succeeding and failing? ie: Indigenous Business Sector Strategy (IBSS) Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP)
• Philanthropic Services and alternative funding sources
• Shaping assessment, diagnosis, care and management under culturally valid understandings, including the connection of physical health, mental health, spiritual needs and social and emotional wellbeing
• Developing a culturally, trauma sensitive and clinically competent workforce and skill set

Hearing Indigenous voices, from youth to elders

• Improving the health outcomes and access for Indigenous Communities
• Where are the government support systems succeeding and failing? ie: Indigenous Business Sector Strategy (IBSS) Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP)
• Philanthropic Services and alternative funding sources
• Shaping assessment, diagnosis, care and management under culturally valid understandings, including the connection of physical health, mental health, spiritual needs and social and emotional wellbeing
• Developing a culturally, trauma sensitive and clinically competent workforce and skill set

Find out more about presenting at the Conference.

Date: Monday, 30th to Tuesday, 31st October

Venue: Darwin Convention Centre / Larrakia Country, NT

Cost: Variable

Register: Online