Abstract

The high prevalence of mental illness and suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reflects the significant impact of colonisation, the transmission of trauma across generations, and the ongoing socioeconomic marginalisation of Indigenous Australians. Indigenous Australians have a holistic conceptualisation of health, mental health and wellbeing, outlined by the social and emotional wellbeing framework. Understanding the socio-historical-cultural factors that have shaped the lives of Indigenous Australians, and the cultural views and practices embodied by the domains of the social and emotional wellbeing framework, is essential for effective mental health treatments and suicide prevention initiatives. This literature review provides essential foundational information, along with statistics on Indigenous mental health prevalence, suicide and self-harm. It provides an overview of contemporary Australian policy responses and directions, and outlines risks and protective factors for mental health and suicide prevention. The growing evidence of best practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and suicide prevention is highlighted by this overview of Indigenous mental health and wellbeing, with links to material collated by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Indigenous Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Clearinghouse.