POSITIVE AND PROACTIVE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL

WELLBEING PROGRAMS FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT

ISLANDER PEOPLE

deadly communities start with deadly thinking

Working together: RRMH and Indigenous AustraliansRRMH appreciates the unique challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter referred to as Indigenous) people living in rural and remote areas. Their wellbeing is threatened not only by the scarcity of services where they live, but the lack of culturally appropriate information available.

Together with health professionals and Indigenous cultural consultants, RRMH has developed a suite of unique and innovative programs to address the needs of Indigenous people.

Our aim is to foster social and emotional wellbeing in the communities with whom we engage through contextually appropriate, proactive programs.

What we do• We develop programs in response to

the needs of Indigenous people, with a focus on proactive, preventative interventions

• We listen to the communities with whom we work and tailor our programs to suit their needs

• We care about, support, and return to the communities with whomwe engage

• We target community leaders, Elders mums, dads, aunties, uncles and helpers, not just health professionals

• We provide programs that are suitable for all levels of health literacy

• We focus on leveraging existing peer support networks

• We foster, and maintain, networking and educational opportunitiesfor participants and trainers

• We conduct research to identify gaps in service provision for Indigenous people in rural and remote Australia.

“Belonging” by Rachel Walters, winner of the Deadly Thinking art competition

How we do itRRMH currently offers four distinct programs for Indigenous people living in rural and remote Australia.

What can participants expect? • The program is presented in small

groups of 10 to 20 people.

• A facilitator will guide the group through the workshop material, encouraging group participation and activities

• Participants will receive a Deadly Think Pack which includes:• A Deadly Thinking workbook• A Passport to Health• A Pencil box and Pen• A Certificate of Completion• Evaluations• A Deadly Thinking Cap

• The program is usually presented between 10am – 4pm, but times may vary according to the group.

SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL WELLBEINGone day workshop

Deadly ThinkingDeadly Thinking, our flagship Indigenous program, is a one-day social and emotional wellbeing workshop.

Deadly Thinking is a highly visual program, utilising artwork to encourage group discussion around issues like anxiety, depression, suicide and its signs, alcohol and substance abuse, violence and grief.

Equally, the workshop focuses on identifying people to yarn/ talk to, finding strength in culture and family, connection to country, and guided meditation.

The program is run by a trained facilitator who understands the mental health and cultural concerns of participants.

Deadly Thinking really works!Deadly Thinking has been independently evaluated by Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health.

In summary, the evaluation found that the overwhelming majority of participants reported the Deadly Thinking workshop:• to be highly acceptable and helpful (90%);• produced a positive change in their attitude to

mental health (94%); and• would help them understand and deal with their

own worries (100%).

Read the Deadly Thinking Evaluation Report, at: www.rrmh.com.au/deadly-thinking-program- 2018-evaluation-report/

Deadly Thinking Youth Adapted from the adult Deadly Thinking program, Deadly Thinking Youth is for younger people aged between 12 and 17.

While the program content is similar to that of the adult version, it’s presented in a way that is sensitive and safe for a younger audience.

Our trained facilitators incorporate activities, such as artwork, sport, music and filming, into the program to engage young people in the Deadly Thinking material.

The program aims to help young Indigenous people to:

• Learn the importance of yarning with family and friends;

• Be more aware and understanding what causesdepression, anxiety and suicide;

• Understand how life changes can contribute to stress;

• Understand their own worries and how to deal withthem – topics covered include cyber-safety, bullyingand body image

• Develop plans to help deal with challenges to theirsocial and emotional wellbeing; and

• Connect to culture and country as a source of strength.

The program has been designed for flexible, group-based delivery, either as a single one-day workshop, 2–3 half-day workshops or as individual units over a number of days or weeks.

What can participants expect?It depends on whether the program is run through a school, an organisation, or independently, but generally:

• The program involves about 10 to 15participants who are encouraged toparticipate in activities andconversations.

• A facilitating team will guideparticipants through the DeadlyThinking material, utilising videocontent, workbooks and prompts.Supervised activities and Q & Asessions will take place throughout.

• The program can be alteredaccording to the format of theorganisation in which the programis being run.

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1 Artworks created at a Creative Livelihoods Workshop.

2 Young men in front of the mural they created in Aurukun ( far north Queensland).

Deadly ThinkingTrain-the-Deadly Thinking Train-the- is a two-day workshop where participants learn to present the Deadly Thinking one-day workshop in their own communities and workplaces, supported and mentored by Deadly Thinking program staff.

The program is suitable for health professionals, as well as Indigenous community leaders, helpers and elders.

No experience in social and emotional wellbeing, or facilitation is necessary, but participants should be prepared to present to small groups of 10 to 15 people.

Non-Indigenous participants are more than welcome. However, they should note that they will not be able to present the program without an Indigenous co-facilitator; and, this is not a cultural competency course.

PresenterPresenter

Creative LivelihoodsCreative Livelihoods is an arts-based social and emotional wellbeing program, with strong ties to Deadly Thinking content and themes.

The Creative Livelihoods program is a long-term project, held over at least six weeks, but can be implemented indefinitely.

Participants return each week to learn, yarn, and access social and emotional wellbeing information. They don’t need to have a background in art, “feel artistic” or plan to be an artist in the future.

The program is a powerful social inclusion tool for “at risk” participants, but is equally suitable for all members of community.

Information is available during workshops regarding wellbeing issues, however the focus of the program is to leverage the therapeutic benefits of artistic pursuits.

A facilitator-artist guides the workshops, teaching skills guiding conversations and providing support.

What can participants expect?• Creative Livelihoods participants will

meet, usually once a week, to work on artistic projects individually and/or collectively

• Participants will work together under the guidance of an artist who has undergone training in the Deadly Thinking Train-the- program

• Each workshop will remain unstructured, however, Deadly Thinking materials and information will be available each week for participants to discuss, take home, or ask questions about.

• 10 to15 participants can be involved in each group.

1 Baskets woven by women from Mornington Island (Gulf of Carpentaria).

2 Community members working on the Women’s Mural, Aurukun ( far north Queensland).

Presenter

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What people say about us

This type of education should be pushed through our Aboriginal communities because it is basic information that people in the community need to know. Deadly Thinking Facilitator

The workshop is a precise snapshot of the type of topics that need to be addressed in the remote areas of the Kimberley where resources are limited. This is something that is doable and resourceful. Deadly Thinking Participant

Loved the presenters and the many opportunities to chat and share our thoughts and opinions – thank you! A privilege to be a part of an enriching experience. Train-the- Participant

Deadly workbook – love the artwork and the language is easy to understand. It made me realise how good my life really is, especially with strong culture. Deadly Thinking Participant

Our products and servicesTailored programs for communities, organisations and institutions.

Deadly Thinking, Deadly Thinking Train-the- , Deadly Thinking Youth, and PresenterCreative Livelihoods can be adapted and delivered to your chosen location by our professional and friendly team.

Workshops and Train-the- Presenter programs in hubs around Australia. See our website to sign up to an existing opportunity near you.

Ongoing support. Online support via Deadly Thinking Facebook group for members and regular social media posts providing information for trainers, organisations and past attendees.

Printed support materials Social and emotional wellbeing booklets, posters and passports.

See online at: rrmh.com.auPresenter

HOW DO I GET DEADLY THINKING FOR MY MOB?Contact us to find out more about our range of programs, book into a training session, or discuss tailoring one of our programs to suit your specific needs.

email: petaboorman@rrmh.com.au phone: 0428 449 492online: rrmh.com.au/programs/deadly-thinking

For more information:

Rural & Remote Mental HealthPhone: 1300 51 59 51rrmh.com.au

© With the exception of stock images used here, the intellectual property and copyright in this publication is vested in the Rural & Remote Mental Health. Unauthorised copying and /or dissemination is prohibited.

Rural & Remote Mental Health is a not-for-profit organisation with charitable status.

Donations to Rural & Remote Mental Health are very welcome, and help support programs and resources designed to improve the mental health of people who live and work in rural and remote Australia.

Donations are tax deductible.

For more information, contact: info@rrmh.com.au

June2019

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