Stronger You, Stronger Mob Campaign
The Stronger You, Stronger Mob campaign is a public education campaign which aims at preventing and delaying the early uptake of alcohol and other drugs and improving the social and emotional wellbeing of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across WA. The campaign sets out to increase awareness of the risks/harms associated with alcohol and other drug use and improve social and emotional wellbeing. It is now live!
This campaign was developed by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people at the Mental Health Commission, the Strong Spirit Strong Mind Aboriginal Programs Team.
What is Social and Emotional Wellbeing? (SEWB)
SEWB describes a holistic concept that involves a network of relationships between young people, their family and community. SEWB recognises the importance of connection to land, culture, spirituality and ancestry and how it affects us mob. SEWB has a bunch of different areas to keep in mind, these are:
- Connection to Country
- Connection to Mind and Emotions
- Connection to Body
- Connection to Culture
- Connection to Community
- Connection to Family and Kinship and;
- Connection to Spirit, Spirituality and Ancestors
When we feel disconnected from one or more of these areas it can cause us to feel sad or angry and hurt our inner spirit. There are heaps of ways to help feel strong and maintain a strong inner spirit. To find out more keep reading this page.
Mind and Emotions:
Sometimes our emotions can feel all over the place and we can feel down. Taking care of yourself is important:
- Take time to destress if you're feeling overwhelmed
- Talk to someone you trust or having a yarn with family member
- Relax and take breaks or have to time to yourself, listen to music, read a book or do a mindfulness exercise
Body:
Exercise can help us feel better physically and mentally. More than just hitting the gym you can hike or just kick the footy around with some mates:
- Go for a walk with a mate or your dog
- Join a sports team or go swimming
- Set routines and goals like dedicated time to self-care or meal planning and get plenty of rest
Family and Kinship:
Being with family isn't always easy but when you feel safe to, it's important to share connections with your family and mob. When things get tough it's good to yarn about it with people you trust:
- Yarn with your family about what's bothering you
- Do an activity you enjoy together like, fishing, art, cooking or playing music
- Organise time for mob to come together over a meal and catch up
Country:
Spending time on Country, when you can, helps us reduce stress and improve our moods. Connecting with and being on Country keeps our spirit strong:
- Visit country if you don't live on Country
- Go camping with family, be around nature
- Hike bush trails or go swimming with mate
Culture and Spirit:
Culture is at the heart of everything we do and it's important to keep learning and participating in culture. Getting involved in culture helps strengthen our spirit:
- Listen to stories and learn culture
- Participate in cultural events like NAIDOC week
- Do creative cultural activities like painting, weaving, dance or playing an instrument
Community:
Getting involved in community and giving back helps us feel included and connected. Yarning to Elders and getting involved in community events keeps our spirit strong:
- Volunteer at a youth group or get involved in community events
- Join a sport or art club
- Yarn with Elders and listen to stories
Video materials
| 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Yarn to your mob It's always good yarning with your mob. Can be in person, on Facetime or even a phone call. | View video Yarn to your mo (opens in new window) |
| Get involved I love connecting to culture through traditional ceremonial dance. Getting involved in culture helps strengthen our inner spirit. | View video Get involved (opens in new window) |
| Visit Country I love coming back home and spending time on country. Connecting with country and culture keeps our spirit strong. | View video Visit Country (opens in new window) |
| Yarn to Elders I learn heaps yarning to Nan and hearing her stories. Yarn to Elders to learn about our culture and keep our spirits strong. | View video Yarn to Elders (opens in new window) |
| Stay connected Making art helps me feel strong and connected to country. Being off country can be hard, staying connected to culture keeps us strong. | View video Stay connected (opens in new window) |
| Yarn with mob I yarn with my mob when things are bothering me. When things get tough, it's good to yarn about it with people you trust. | View video Yarn with mob (opens in new window) |
| Learn culture My community youth group keeps me active and I learn about my culture. Joining your local community group gets you out on country, learning culture and playing sport. | View video Learn culture (opens in new window) |
| 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Go Outdoors Spending time on Country with mob is good for keeping your spirit strong. You could go fishing or snorkelling. | View video Go Outdoors (opens in new window) |
| Fun with Family There are lots of fun ways you can get outdoors and spend time with your mob. You could go try stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking. | View video Fun with Family (opens in new window) |
| Stay Connected Going back home to reconnect with mob is going for keep your spirit strong. It's a great way to stay connected with culture too. | View video Stay Connected (opens in new window) |
| Stay Strong Learning traditional dance and music helps keep you and your mob strong. Why not try learning to play the didge or sticks? | View video (opens in new window) |
| Yarn with Friends It's important for your mental health to be able to talk about your feelings with others, especially being away from family. | View video (opens in new window) |
| Yarn with Elders Learning about culture from your Elders teaches you important things like how to respect Country and look after your inner spirit. | View video Yarn with Elders (opens in new window) |
| Get Active Playing sport helps you feel physically and mentally strong. It keeps you active and helps you focus. | View video Get Active (opens in new window) |
Page last updated8 May 2025