Strong Spirit, Safe Mob

Keep your spirit strong for you, your family and your community. It is more important than ever to focus on what keeps your spirit strong so you can help keep mob safe. This can look different for everyone.

Ways to keep your spirit strong

Try and keep your worries at bay

Have a look at this worksheet (PDF, 318.4 KB) to help you keep your worries at bay.

Prioritise your cultural, social and emotional wellbeing

Think about ways to connect with your culture, body, mind and emotions, family and ancestors. This could be connecting through art or having family send you something from country if you can’t be there. Consider what you need to feel most connected, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Stay connected

Reach out to Elders, family and mates for a yarn via phone, email or social media. Social distancing doesn’t mean that we can’t connect, we just have to find different ways to do it. There may be social groups and online networks that you can link in with that are based on your local community or interests.

Keep healthy

Stable routines, making sure that we get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and moving our body regularly can help us to keep our spirit and body strong. Have a look at resources like Gayaa Dhuwi Proud Spirit to help you stay healthy and strong, and encourage other mob to stay healthy too!

Download mental wellbeing apps

Take a look at Smiling Mind, Headspace and iBobbly, which was designed to support the social and emotional wellbeing of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians aged 15 years and over.

Engage in self-care

Self-care can be different for each person, but it’s so important to make sure we are prioritising our self-care to keep our spirit strong. Have a look at this worksheet (PDF, 204.8 KB) to start or continue your self-care journey.

Be gentle with yourself

This is a collectively difficult time - some days, just getting through it is more than enough. It is okay to say no to things and rest even if your loved ones or people on social media are on a "productivity train". Focus on what you need to feel good each day, try and let go of guilt and pressure if it comes up, and reach out for help if you need.

Know what supports are out there

Part of staying strong and keeping mob safe is to know what services are available to support you and your family when you need it. If you or others have existing mental health conditions, make sure that you continue with your treatment plan and monitor for any new symptoms. Look at the Where to get help resources.

This will pass

Many experts are working hard to contain COVID-19 and treat those affected. There are strong response plans in place nationally and locally to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities, designed in partnership with First Nations people. We are resilient, and we will get through this together.

If you are living with a heath condition

For people living with chronic disease and other health conditions, it is normal to feel worried about the increased risk of having more severe symptoms of COVID-19. The following tips may assist:

• Keep your spirit and body strong (see ‘Keeping your spirit strong’ section).
• For those who live with health conditions and usually look after the family, it can be hard to let go of some of those responsibilities in order to lower your risk of becoming unwell. Remember that it is okay to ask for help and not always be the one who takes charge of the family’s wellbeing. Share important information and tasks with loved ones so someone is aware of what needs to be done (see QAIHC Family Care Plan (PDF)). Your health and safety is part of looking after mob too.
• Maintain a good diet and sleep pattern to keep your immune system as strong as possible.
• Yarn to your local health service about your options for health care during this time. They may be able to arrange telehealth consultations and medication repeats so you don’t need to see the doctor.
• If you have to leave the house for an appointment (e.g. for regular dialysis), plan for a smooth, stress-free visit:
• Arrange to drive or be dropped off and picked up if possible, to avoid public transport.
• If taking public transport, check the schedule, avoid paying by cash, and keep 1.5 metres (2 big steps) away from others.
• Know where to enter and exit the service so you don’t get lost near others.
• Request to be 1.5 metres away from other travellers or patients if possible.
• Wash your hands often and don’t touch your face.
• Ask a loved one to accompany you or for cultural support officers at the service if possible.

If you are a frontline worker

As a frontline worker, you may be making sacrifices in order to serve your community. The hard work you do is deeply appreciated, but it is also very important that you take care of yourself. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Your safety and wellbeing come first - you can only take care of others when you are feeling strong and well.
• Ways of knowing are not lost. It is more important than ever to advocate for, and influence, culturally safe and equitable health care and outcomes for mob.
• This is an opportunity for creativity. While usual ways of being and doing have changed, you can find innovative ways to support patients, connect with loved ones and engage in cultural practices.
• The pandemic will not last forever. There are strong local and national response plans in place to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities, designed in partnership with First Nations people. We are resilient, and we will get through this together.

Water your own tree and the garden will flourish

You may be asked by your loved ones or members of your community for updates on COVID-19. For some of you, your cultural obligation to community can feel like it lasts 24/7. While taking care of community is important, the saying “water your own tree and the garden will flourish” is especially true at this time. Here are some practical things you can do:

• If you are sick, do not go to work - you will be helping to keep mob safe by staying at home.
• Make sure you take breaks at work - even when you feel like you don’t have time, take a moment to stretch, take a short walk, hydrate or get a healthy snack.
• Try to switch off from work when home - set clear times for when you’re contactable to work and be fully present when you’re doing activities for you.
• Try and keep your worries at bay - have a look at this worry worksheet (PDF, 318.4 KB) to help you with your worries.
• Engage in self-care - do things that make you feel good like looking through pictures and memories, listening to your favourite songs, or having a sleep in or do practical things like getting through your to-do list. Have a look at this self-care worksheet (PDF, 204.8 KB) to start or continue on your self-care journey.
• Reflect on how you have coped in the past - you have overcome other obstacles. Remind yourself of what you did to get through that time. Use those skills now.
• Know your entitlements - know about your leave entitlements if you become sick or if you have to care for someone who is sick.