Cultural Wellbeing

Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team (MHWBT) acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community.

Our connections to country across Western for MHWBT YARN sessions is working in collaboration with South-West Sydney Local Health District Liverpool, Berri Werri Consultancy, the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Indigenous Leadership, the School of Social Sciences and the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education who provide additional support where needed for our Indigenous Australian students and staff at Western.

We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. We express our gratitude and honour their spiritual connection to the land.

Cultural Wellbeing

Our mission with Cultural Wellbeing Sessions at Western is to promote and profile the importance of cultural safety, diversity, inclusion, and representation. Recognising culturally relevant and appropriate approaches in working with our diverse communities keeps us safe. It is important to help establish safe spaces for us to talk.

Features include cross-cultural awareness, storytelling led by students and staff, and culturally specific facilitators to lead the conversations that are meaningful to them. These sessions are led by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team (MHWBT) in collaboration with our Western community partners who work with our diverse communities across Western.

The group work sessions are offered online for staff and in the community for students. The cultural wellbeing sessions provide opportunities to connect and share as a means of cultural preservation and instilling moral values that are meaningful to our Western community.

Promoting the importance of cultural appropriateness when working with our people is crucial, as their cultural backgrounds influence the way in which they may engage in mainstream support services.

Let's always celebrate and embrace the shared spaces we hold and acknowledge the Wellbeing STARZ at Western that have shared their experiences with us and the ones to come.

If you haven't joined us before, please register to attend for the upcoming sessions via WesternLife.

Cultural Wellbeing Sessions

YARN Sessions

YARN Sessions aims to facilitate culturally safe and inclusive psycho-education and group work support for Indigenous Australian students and staff at Western.

Topics of discussion include themes regarding stolen generation, respectful relationships, intergenerational trauma, alcohol and other drugs, art and culture, sorry business, resilience, identity and belonging, youth engagement, and emotional health and wellbeing matters.

Tools to facilitate these discussions include mindfulness and meditation (dadirri activities), art therapy, ice breakers and team-building exercises.

Led by our mob, for our mob in collaboration with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team, Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor Indigenous Leadership and Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education.

Talanoa Sessions

The Talanoa program provides opportunities to develop leadership skills, cultural wellbeing strategies, mental health awareness and support.

Features include a wide range of relevant topics related to wellbeing and mental health, alongside Pacific Professionals and mental health services from the AREA.

Led by Pacific and Social Work students on placement with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team and Office of Widening Participation - Pasifika Achievement to Higher Education (PATHE).

NEC Chat Sessions

NEC is a Western Sydney University and community supported initiative which works alongside the Lebanese Muslim Association and Settlement Services International to support refugees, migrants, people of colour, and inclusive to all regarding all things wellbeing.

Led by Refugee/Newly arrived Migrant and Social Work students on placement with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team and Office of Widening Participation - Refugee and New Emerging Communities (NEC).

Bayanihan Community Meet Ups

Bayanihan is a Filipino word derived from the word “bayan” meaning community. “Being a bayan” is all about unity, resilience, and togetherness. These monthly meet ups will provide you with the opportunity to meet new people, build a stronger sense of belonging and overall heighten your wellbeing through a creative cultural exchange experience.

Led by the Filipino Student Society Club and Social Work students on placement with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team and Bayanihan Core Collective Group.

Cultural Wellbeing Rapid Sessions

Our mission with the Cultural Wellbeing Rapid Sessions at Western is to promote and profile the importance of cultural safety, diversity, inclusion, and representation. Recognising culturally relevant and appropriate approaches in working with our diverse communities keeps us safe. It is important to help establish safe spaces for us to talk.

The rapid sessions online provide opportunities for staff to connect and share as a means of cultural preservation and instilling moral values that are meaningful to our Western community.