Yarn Up Feel Deadly

About Yarn Up Feel Deadly

Yaama,

to coincide with NAIDOC week and the theme “Voice, Treaty, Truth, “ Aboriginal mental health service and workforce have launched this innovative app developed to assist in providing useful information about accessing Mental Health Services in HNELHD for Aboriginal and Non Aboriginal people and help bridge the gap between staff and community.

It is envisaged the app will enhance consumer and carer engagement by providing a culturally considerate resource with a particular focus on Aboriginal communities and connecting Aboriginal people to mental health services as well to each other by learning from their lived experience. While the app will target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the content will be of interest and benefit to all. The app has “The Warrior Within” video testimonials are of Aboriginal and Non Aboriginal people throughout the Hunter New England district Yarning about identity, culture, wellbeing, their mental health experiences, what to expect if you are a client of the service and puts a name to a face of people who work in mental health services and how they help our mob. There is also mental health service information, information about mental health conditions, treatments, medications, links to useful websites, courses/ forums of potential interest and local community events for community and staff.

The app/testimonials was inspired by district manager for Aboriginal Mental Health Service Bron Rose's experiences listening to stories of her grandmother, known to many as Aunty Betty, a very special Elder, who often shared her knowledge of culture and traditional ways, Bron realised this knowledge could broaden and deepen peoples understanding of Aboriginal culture. Bron was then encouraged to film Elders, consumers, carers, community members and health professionals sharing their lived experiences of mental health, their journeys and interests to help reduce shame and stigma as well as educate others in mental health service and the community. The app was developed in late 2017 and filming of 45 testimonials took place across Hunter New England district in May 2018, during filming an a unexpected passing of Aunty Betty occurred, the app was sidelined until a year later in July 2019, NAIDOC week, where it was successfully launched by Aboriginal Mental health staff.

The app also contains a pre-survey and post-survey where users can give their feedback on how they feel about accessing mental health services before and after using the app. Anyone can submit enquiries via the App or provide feedback. Consumers and staff can choose to receive notifications about particular topics of interest that encourage key health promotion messages. There is a tool kit portal for mental health staff only and a portal for our partners which includes a collaborative space as well as other resources to assist staff in conducting culturally sensitive mental health clinical assessments and delivery of care that is recommended best practice for Aboriginal communities. Please share, the App is available to download for free on both android and apple devices in Google Play or the App Store. Yarn Up Feel Deadly.