Stronger Communities

Each community has its own strengths and values as well as its own challenges [23519]. Communities have the capacity to identify their own priorities and with appropriate resourcing, respond to issues with local solutions which contributes to empowering communities in the long term [29064][25048]. One of the first steps needed to establish healthy communities is to acknowledge the impact of the loss and trauma from colonisation. This allows a collective and individual healing to take place, that can then be followed up by strategies to address current needs [29064].

There are many examples of successful community led initiatives that address a range of issues including reducing harms from alcohol and other drug use. Programs such as mentoring young men, skills development, providing recreational and cultural activities that connect people to one another, and social support to assist people with housing or mental health, all contribute to developing community capacity.

Broad based prevention strategies include [47241][46914][33707]:

• supporting community led activities developed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• developing collaborative partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Islander organisations
• providing opportunities to be included in the wider society through employment and education.