Hi everyone,
The 26th of January means different things to us all – for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it's a day of mourning. It's a date that can stir grief, sadness, anger and hopelessness.
We hope our community can be a safe place for anyone feeling distressed or overwhelmed to open up. We're here to listen and support you if Jan 26 gets too much to handle.
How to cope
The lead-up to Jan 26 can be draining all on its own – between all the media coverage, social media debates and comment sections, it's enough to wear you out before the day has arrived.
Dealing with the pressure of change-the-date debates while feeling your personal grief is a lot to deal with at once. Here are some ideas for how to cope with the day:
Take a break from the news, social media, and the comments section. One of the downsides to social media is that now more than at any other time in history, we can read hundreds of thousands of people's opinions at once, which is a lot to handle, especially when reading about an issue that directly affects you and your community.
Connect with Country. If you can, think about making some time to connect with country. Spending time swimming, camping and walking on Country might help you feel grounded, strong and calm.
Talk to someone you trust. Is there someone in your community you can spend time with now? Aunties, Uncles, nans, pops, mums, dads and Elders can be the best people to talk to when it's all too much.
Create a community thread. If you need to get some things off your chest, know that we are also here to listen.
Connect with a support service. If reaching out to a support service will help, there are plenty of options.
- 13YARN - 24/7 culturally safe crisis support
- Wellmob - information and resources for wellbeing
- iBobbly - a self-help app
- Brother to Brother - 24/7 crisis line phone support from Aboriginal men for Aboriginal men
- Thirrili - support for individuals, families, and communities affected by suicide or other significant trauma
- Yarn Safe - Mental health and well-being resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Manual of Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention - Practical resources and videos supporting positive mental health and wellbeing
How to be a good ally
Jan 26 is a time to reflect honestly on our history and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities' unwavering determination.
On this day, we want to encourage this community to take the time to listen and learn from First Nations perspectives and to support events and movements that promote healing and reconciliation.
One way to do this is to look into local events and ceremonies organised by First Nations communities and organisations, where you can learn and show your support. You can also educate yourself by reading books and articles, watching films and documentaries, or listening to podcasts or music produced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creators.
🤝 Community events
Show up and show your support by attending one of the many community events taking place. If you want to see what's happening in your local area, you'll find all that info here.
📚 Books
🎤 Music
📽 Film + TV
