New community-led pilot to support young Aboriginal people in Fitzroy Valley

• $835,000 grant enabling mental health and cultural, social, and emotional wellbeing service for Aboriginal people aged 17 to 25 in the Fitzroy Valley
• Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre to provide trauma and neurodiverse informed and culturally safe support to local young people
• McGowan Government committed to improving social and emotional wellbeing for Aboriginal people
  

A highly respected service in the Fitzroy Valley will provide locally adapted support to improve Aboriginal young people's mental health and cultural, social, and emotional wellbeing.

Local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre (MWRC) has received $835,000 to deliver the service to young Aboriginal people.

Informed by Aboriginal people and extensive research, the model will provide opportunities for cultural connection and create an environment that enables young people living in the Fitzroy Valley to heal, be healthy, and be supported to achieve their goals.

The pilot will bring a combination of cultural and clinical expertise, offering:

• facilitation of referrals, where needed, to MWRC's clinical neuropsychologist for culturally safe and place-based assessment of cognitive disorders;
• practical supports to assist young people to navigate cultural, systematic and language barriers that can prevent them from accessing government, health, and other services critical for positive functioning and wellbeing; and
• a range of activities designed and co-led by young people that foster empowerment and provide opportunity for connection with culture and time to heal on-country.
  

The service is expected to be operational in 2023.

Comments attributed to Mental Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:

"Young people in the Fitzroy Valley told us that they wanted better access to culturally safe mental health, emotional and social wellbeing support close to where they live.

"This pilot will deliver that and aims to address the complex and unique challenges facing young people in the region.

"As a longstanding local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre has established strong connections and trust with the Fitzroy Valley community, making it well placed to lead this pilot and support its young people."

Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:

"We know that a high proportion of young people living in the Fitzroy Valley experience neurodevelopmental impairment and early life trauma. As a result, too many young people in our community are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.

"Connecting vulnerable young people with services that consider the unique cultural, linguistic and geographic context of the Kimberley region serves to protect and promote their social and emotional wellbeing."

Minister's office - 6552 5900