A national campaign designed to improve mental health literacy among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be launched in Maitland in a bid to help those battling with anxiety and depression.
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Titled Yarn Safe, the campaign is the first youth-led national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth mental health initiative of its kind and aims to reduce the shame associated with mental health problems.
"The campaign will help to remove the barriers stopping Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander youth accessing support when they are going through a tough time," Aboriginal counsellor with headspace Maitland Todd Heard said.
"By reducing the shame associated with mental health problems and increasing the understanding of headspace as a trustworthy place to go for help, we will hopefully see more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island young people walk through our doors," Mr Heard said.
The 2011 Australian Bureau of Statistics census data shows 3.5 per cent of Maitland's population are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin compared with 2.5 per cent.
Since 2006 the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population has grown by 45 per cent within the area compared with 25 per cent for NSW.
A high proportion of this population is younger than 19 years.
Of the 1500 young people who accessed headspace Maitland in 2013/2014 16 per cent of them identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Yarn Safe was developed with a group of 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people from across Australia including Elcho Island, Brisbane, Darwin, Broome, Melbourne and Perth including Sam Paxton.
"By bringing together a group of young people from across Australia, we have been able to explore the commonalities that exist within our cultures," she said.
"We've united elements of art with strong imagery of people, country and language that's familiar to and resonates with us all."
Headspace CEO Chris Tanti said depression, anxiety and suicide affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth at a significantly higher rate than non-Indigenous young people.
"Shame, judgement and feeling isolated for not being 'normal' is stopping many young people from getting the help they need," Mr Tanti said.
"There's also a lack of trust in services and knowledge of the mental health system.
"By working with the group of young people, we've created a targeted and culturally appropriate campaign that will hopefully drive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to our services and make a difference to their future."
Yarn Safe will be launched on Tuesday afternoon at headspace Maitland in Elgin Street.