Aboriginal Health

The Aboriginal Counselling Service (ACS) is a holistic service that delivers culturally sensitive and safe mental health intervention and therapeutic counselling services to people who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. ACS supports, empowers and assists clients to navigate the health system and provides mental, physical, social health and spiritual support.

This program also addresses a range of challenges such as grief and loss, alcohol and other drugs, financial hardship, family violence, situational crisis and more.

Read Uncle Dave’s story.

Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation uses the Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) framework and culturally appropriate psychological techniques to support Aboriginal community members experiencing mental health and alcohol and other drug challenges.

This program connects clients to services that help them recover from trauma, reconnect to their community, and build a sense of self-worth and confidence. Baabayn has strong contacts in the community and prides itself on providing a welcoming environment where individuals and families can heal.

Read Karri’s story.

To support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members living with chronic health conditions, we collaborate with Sydney Region Aboriginal Corporation to run the Burbaga Burawa Health Challenge. The Challenge aims to help participants develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

We’re also funding Too Deadly for Diabetes – a 10-week program for people with, or at risk of developing, type 2 Diabetes. Expertly facilitated by one of Australia’s leading health professionals Ray Kelly, the program provides participants with a meal plan, exercise program, education, and motivation with the aim of losing weight, improving health, and reducing diabetes risk factors.

Hear the testimonials of some of the program’s participants: Too Deadly for Diabetes in Emerton

To find out more about these activities contact the Commissioning team at commissioning@wentwest.com.au.

Since 1996, the Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation has been providing culturally safe counselling and referral services primarily for Western Sydney’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community affected drug and alcohol dependency, and non-acute mental health issues.

Marrin Weejali uses family-focused treatments to support clients in achieving physical, social and emotional wellbeing. Its services include counselling, group therapy, transition assistance, health support, case management and community work. In addition, it provides referrals to social/welfare services such as legal, employment, housing, child and family care.

• Read Maya’s story
• Read Michael’s Story

The Shed is a welcoming community environment that helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Sydney achieve social and emotional wellbeing. 

The Shed connects clients to services with a strong focus on those experiencing homelessness, unemployment, out-of-home care, mental illness, alcohol and other drug and other social challenges. These may include mental health, physical health, housing, financial, disability, legal and cultural services.

This program specifically considers the social determinants of Aboriginal health as a direct indicator to address the complexities of suicide, suicide ideology and suicide attempts.

• Read Luke’s story
• Read Jerry’s story

Deadly Dreaming connects mentors and Elders with young Aboriginal people who are in contact with, or at risk of coming in contact with the juvenile justice system. This program aims to help young people create links to culture, country, and community through workshops that incorporate art, music, dance and life skills development.

This program also implements early intervention for mental health, alcohol and other drugs and school retention.

Find out more on the Ted Noffs Foundation website.

Burbaga Burawa is running the Western Sydney Health Challenge fitness program from April to June 2024. The program contributes to closing the gap across our First Nations communities through the education and promotion of healthy living, weight loss and improved fitness.

The program also connects the community by delivering better social connections and combating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and social disorders.

60 participants will receive the following free of charge:

• Access to the gym
• Access to a personal trainer
• Group sessions on weeknights

Overall, the program aims to improve many chronic health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory conditions and obesity and mental health conditions.

Community members can register now.

The Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program (formerly known as Care Coordination and Supplementary Services or CCSS) is a service that contributes to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic health conditions through access to care coordination, multidisciplinary care and support for self-management. It improves access to culturally appropriate, mainstream primary care services, including but not limited to, general practice, allied health and specialists.

Health professionals can access the referral form on the Western Sydney ITC website. 

Read Frank’s story