Current behavioural-change programs delivered in prisons covering topics such as substance use, violence management and gambling, may not address the underlying causes of these behaviours among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Young First Nations people can benefit from wellbeing programs if they are evidence-based and apply culturally based healing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals understand and successfully apply culturally based healing to support the rehabilitation of First Nations people breaking the cycle through recovery, from physical health to mental wellbeing. This presentation will outline the results of qualitative, semi-structured yarning sessions with 27 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers. Key study findings will be discussed in comparison to results from a scoping review of First Nations-specific programs delivered in prison in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.

Yarning sessions were conducted with 27 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers across Sydney, Central Coast, Perth and Broome. Workers came from a diverse range of professional backgrounds, as well as lived experience of substance-use and prison time. In the yarns, we asked participants about how they use culture in therapy when supporting a client’s healing to recovery and reengagement with community. As well as a yarning methodology, data collection and analysis were conducted through an Aboriginal lens.

In this presentation, we will highlight key findings from the yarns which will inform the development and core curricula components to be included in a Social and Emotional Wellbeing program framework. This new culturally based program will be further refined with input from a range of professionals experienced with delivering prison-based programs, and then pilot tested to assess feasibility for future implementation with young First Nations people in prison.