Indigenous Health
Indigenous Health Access Program
Our Indigenous Health Access Program aims to empower Mob and Community with holistic, culturally-safe health care. We believe in a personal, tailored approach to our service, grounded in connection to Country, Community, and the healing power of walking together in resilience, deadliness, and strength.
What we provide
Our service is for Mob, Community and those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We provide short-to-medium term support to connect people with the services and care they need.
We support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 years and over across all Better Health Network catchments, from the City of Melbourne through to the City of Greater Dandenong. Please note that this is not a crisis service.
Our team can assist people experiencing barriers to accessing a wide rand of services, including physical health care such as GP, dental and podiatry services. Mental health supports include counselling, psychology, psychiatry and alcohol and other drug services. We also provide housing assistance, carer respite, and child, youth and family services including family violence services and many other community supports.
Barriers to accessing services can look different for everyone. They may include a lack of cultural safety, feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, challenges related to mental health or alcohol and other drug use, or physical and logistical difficulties in accessing health services. Whatever the barrier, our team is here to provide culturally safe support and help you navigate the system.
If you are unsure whether this service is right for you, we still encourage you to get in touch. We are happy to have a conversation and help determine the best support pathway for your needs.
How we support our clients
- Connecting people with health and wellbeing services at Better Health Network and with external providers, depending on individual needs. View our services page to see all available services at BHN.
- Providing culturally-safe transport to and from appointments
- Offering companionship and social support during appointments and between appointments when needed
- Assisting with applications, funding processes and appointment coordination
- Connecting Mob with community groups, organisations, cultural supports, Country, and other programs and services that can provide additional support
- Providing regular check-ins and yarns between appointments, creating opportunities to connect, take a break and feel supported
- Offering support and consultation to carers, parents, non-indigenous partners and community health organisations, subject to availability
- Providing specialist culturally safe support for carers of people experiencing mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) challenges through our Carer Connect Centre in Dandenong.
Anyone can make a referral to access this service
Please complete our online referral form or email [email protected]
If you are requesting services for someone else, please provide the client’s name and best contact phone number so our team can get in touch directly with them.
For all health professionals, we kindly ask you to complete the online BHN client referral form for all referrals.
Accessing this service
To make an appointment for this service, call 132 246 (132 BHN) or complete our online form.
As a not-for-profit organisation, BHN offers a broad range of health, wellbeing and community support services accessible through pathways such as NDIS, Support at Home, Commonwealth Home Support Program and community health programs.
With a diverse suite of affordable services all delivered under one provider, BHN offers a connected and responsive approach to care, ensuring you benefit from a seamless experience and the peace of mind that comes from working with a trusted organisation.
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