A new Mobile Outreach Mental Health and Wellbeing Van has been launced for Indigenous people in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven as part of National Reconciliation Week.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Van will travel around Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) which covers the lands of the Dharawal and Yuin peoples, making it easier for Aboriginal people to access mental health care and support.

It is the first Aboriginal mental health van service being delivered by NSW Health after a $176,000 investment by the Aboriginal Health Minor Capital Works Program.

“This outreach van is really positive, and it will deliver culturally appropriate preventative health care, early intervention, health promotion and really importantly trauma informed care," Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Ryan Park said.

“The Van aims to honour Aboriginal people’s autonomy while offering culturally safe support, in their communities, where they can feel supported by family and community.”

The van will provide culturally safe mental health, wellbeing and healing support, information and resources to Aboriginal people in their own communities, as well as delivering other health services based on need in the community.

“This new Mobile Outreach Mental Health and Wellbeing Van for Aboriginal people is the first of its kind in New South Wales and will be fantastic addition to the Illawarra Shoalhaven District, offering support, referrals and suicide prevention in community," Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said.

“The service has been co-designed with Aboriginal people, and we know that greater involvement of Aboriginal people in the design of health services can lead to improved health outcomes.

“This van is one example of what can happen when we take a proactive approach to Aboriginal mental health and wellbeing that is informed by local people from the communities we serve.”

Co-designed with Aboriginal people to create a welcoming and culturally safe space, this innovative model will assist the Local Health District to build stronger relationships with local Aboriginal communities while reducing stigma about health care and mental health services.

“It’s great to see this new Mobile Outreach Van which will offer regular visits to Aboriginal communities across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, supporting health staff to provide important services and care," Minister for Aboriginal Affairs David Harris said.

“By using this mobile outreach service, the van increases flexibility and convenience for Aboriginal people and importantly, addresses many of the barriers that Aboriginal peoples face when interacting with Mental Health Services.

“We know there are better health outcomes when Aboriginal people are involved with co-designing Closing the Gap initiatives, and this initiative is an excellent example of this.”

The van’s eye-catching exterior features elements of the artwork, Garadyigan (Dharawal word, meaning Healer) created specifically for ISLHD by local Aboriginal artist, Jasmine Sarin.

“Making sure all possible steps are taken to improve access to health services for local Aboriginal residents is essential to improve longer term health outcomes," Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said.

“This coupled with the Aboriginal Maternal Infant Child Health service – Binji and Boori – that will be part of the new Warrawong Community Health Centre, are important additions to local health services supporting Aboriginal people.”

Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson added that she would like "to acknowledge the local Aboriginal people and health staff who have worked together on this project".

"I’m excited to hear more about its achievements as it is rolled out further.”