Social & Emotional Wellbeing
The Role of the KAMS Social and Emotional Wellbeing Team
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) describes the overall wellbeing of a person.
It is a holistic concept that recognises connection to land, culture, spirituality, ancestry, family and community are as important for wellbeing as physical health1. This concept also acknowledges the impact of past events and policies on the SEWB of individuals today.
The KAMS SEWB Team is supported by the Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS) and the National Indigenous Australians Alliance (NIAA) to promote and support the social and emotional wellbeing of communities, and the capacity of the SEWB workforce, across the Kimberley.
The team achieves this through:
- Delivery of culturally-situated brief intervention support to community members
- Delivery of SEWB outreach and group work with young people and community members
- Provision of SEWB training, information sessions and resources to community members and SEWB workforce
- Identification of training needs of SEWB workforce at service- and regional-levels
- Provision of workforce development plans to SEWB workforce at service- and regional-levels
- Links to supervision and mentoring opportunities for SEWB workforce
- Coordination of accredited training for SEWB workforce
KAMS SEWB Team also partners with services across the region to support and promote the factors necessary for overall wellbeing. In partnership with Centacare, the SEWB Team provides the Kimberley Empowerment Healing and Leadership Program in the West Kimberley Regional Prison five times per year. In partnership with the Kimberley Postvention Service, the SEWB Team provides brief intervention support to individuals and families bereaved by suicide.
1. Purdie, N., Dudgeon, P., & Walker, R. (2014). Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice. (2st ed.) Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.
Note. Figure is from Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice, pp. 57, by Purdie, Dudgeon & Walker, 2014, Commonwealth of Australia. Copyright 2014 by Commonwealth of Australia.
SEWB Partner Monthly News
The SEWB Partner Monthly News is designed to keep KAMS partner organisations and member services informed with important news for the SEWB / Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) sector in the Kimberley. The Monthly News includes general updates, resources, good news stories, upcoming events / training and opportunities for engagement.
If you would like to share an update, good news story, or event to be featured in an upcoming news, please contact sewbadmin@kamsc.org.au.