Culturally Safe and Self-determined Care: Mental Health Across Diverse Communities was presented on Monday 16 March at the 2026 Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference on the Gold Coast, sharing key findings from culturally grounded practices across Stride Mental Health community groups in Cairns and Townsville, within Far North Queensland. The region is home to more than 60 Traditional Owner groups and one of the highest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in Australia (approximately 14% [1]).

Supporting the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people through early intervention is central to Stride’s work in Far North Queensland, with culturally safe, community-led programs placing identity, connection and belonging at the heart of everything they do.

The team has found their impact is improved when grounded in a holistic understanding of cultural safety and emotional wellbeing. In the context of their local region, cultural safety is shaped by connection to land, culture, family, community and spirituality.

Reflecting on this, Doug Wong, Vibrant Futures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Support Officer, highlighted for us that:

To showcase the impact of their work in North Queensland, the team shared three key learnings from their presentation below:

Strengthening pride and connection to culture improves resilience, self-esteem, and overall wellbeing among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Mental health interventions are most effective when they validate and embed cultural identity. Programs that foster belonging reduce isolation, support emotional regulation, and provide a foundation for healthy decision-making.

Programs guided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, co-designed with communities, build trust, relevance, and sustained participation. When young people and their communities are empowered to shape services, interventions respect self-determination, reduce systemic barriers, and improve uptake of mental health and support services.

Our experience shows that culturally safe environments, whether in schools or community groups, create supportive spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can strengthen identity, build connections, and engage positively with mental health supports. By prioritising respect and cultural safety, young people feel valued and understood, fostering wellbeing, resilience, and the confidence to express themselves without fear of stigma.

Jason Von Roehl is the founder of Our Cultural Conversations, an initiative delivering Indigenous cultural education and engagement across Cairns and the surrounding region. With cultural ties to the Ngen’giwumirri language group of the Northern Territory, Jason brings extensive experience working across diverse communities to strengthen cultural understanding, connection, and wellbeing.

Rosaline (Rosie) Adidi, our Vibrant Futures Service Leader in Townsville, is a mental health nurse with over 20 years’ experience. She has worked extencively across the Mental Health Service Group at Townsville University Hospital, as well as in private and community settings, and volunteers as a youth leader. Rosie is a proud mother of seven, and her husband, a Torres Strait Islander, also serves the community.

When mental health challenges disrupt a young person’s life, it’s common that the path to recovery can feel overwhelming for the individual. Stride Mental Health’s Youth Step Up Step Down (YSUSD) service in Cairns provides that balance, offering crucial support for those aged 16-21 experiencing severe and complex mental health issues.

Youth Step Up Step Down is a service that provides short-term residential support for those who are in need of intensive clinical treatment and psychosocial support. It’s designed to prevent further deterioration in mental health, reduce the likelihood of hospital admissions (“step up”), and support young people in their transition back into the community (“step down”).

The service provides options for young people when they need more support than community services can offer, but doesn’t require the intensity of a hospital setting.    Step Up Step Down provides options for young people when they need more support than community services can offer but don’t require a hospital stay, empowering them to take control of their mental health with recovery-focused care.

At Stride, we have partnered with the Queensland Health Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service to connect young people to this essential service.

The YSUSD facility, purpose-built in Manoora, Cairns, offers a safe and supportive environment located just 10 minutes from the CBD.  This six-bed service is one of only three in Queensland, highlighting its importance in the region. If you’d like to find out more about Cairns’ Youth Step Up Step Down service, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.

The primary goals of YSUSD are to prevent hospital admissions and support community reintegration.

Individuals are admitted on a voluntary basis, and the program is not designed for alcohol or drug detoxification, respite, or long-term accommodation for homelessness.

Young people who will be accessing the service can expect a structured program with a range of support services and therapeutic interventions, including:

• Psychosocial support
• Group therapy
• Skill development
• Medication support

The program also incorporates a strong emphasis on personal recovery, with activities and support designed to foster:

• Wellbeing and goal planning
• Functional recovery, including employment/study options, time management, and cooking
• Clinical recovery, with psychoeducation and coping strategies
• Social recovery, focusing on community engagement, building resilience, and social development

A typical week includes a variety of activities, from fitness classes and outings to life skills training and sessions focused on recovery.

The YSUSD program aims to provide short-term support with planned discharge to ensure a smooth transition back to the community.

For mental health professionals and families seeking support for young people, it’s important to understand the referral process. This involves an initial referral, assessment of eligibility criteria, referral review, and acceptance and intake.

Stride Mental Health’s Youth Step Up Step Down service in Cairns is making a real difference in the lives of young people, helping them live fulfilling lives. By providing the right support at the right time, Stride is helping to build a stronger, healthier communities, from fitness classes and outings to life skills training and sessions focused on recovery.