The Queensland Mental Health Commission (QMHC) has commissioned First Nations Co. to undertake an independent evaluation of the First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Program.

The program invests in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queensland to design and deliver initiatives that strengthen social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and community resilience.

These initiatives are community-led and place-based, recognising that sustainable improvements in wellbeing must be grounded in culture, community governance, local knowledge, and self-determination.

This evaluation will assess how the program is being implemented, what outcomes it is achieving, and how it can be strengthened to support long-term wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Queensland.

Importantly, the evaluation places First Nations voices, cultural knowledge, and lived experience at the centre of the process, ensuring community perspectives inform the findings and recommendations.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, SEWB reflects a holistic understanding of health.

SEWB recognises the interconnected relationships between:

• Culture

• Country

• Family and kinship

• Community

• Spirituality and identity

• Physical and mental health

Strengthening SEWB requires approaches that recognise these connections and support community-led solutions grounded in cultural knowledge and local priorities.

The aim of this project is to undertake an independent and culturally grounded evaluation of the First Nations SEWB Program to determine its effectiveness, sustainability, and alignment with Queensland’s mental health and wellbeing reform priorities.

The evaluation will generate evidence to inform future policy decisions, strengthen government accountability, and support ongoing investment in culturally safe and community-led mental health initiatives.

The evaluation focuses on 10 community-led initiatives funded through the First Nations SEWB Program.

These initiatives are delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations across Queensland and aim to strengthen mental health and social and emotional wellbeing through culturally grounded approaches.

The funded partners include:

• Bidgerdii Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation Community Health Service

• Central West Aboriginal Corporation

• Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council

• Galangoor Duwulami Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation

• Gunya Meta

• Inala Wangarra

• Kambu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Corporation for Health

• Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council

• Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Corporation

• Wujal Justice Group Indigenous Inc

These initiatives operate across several regions of Queensland including South-East Queensland, Central Queensland, Central West Queensland, Far North Queensland, and the Wide Bay–Burnett region.

Participation in this evaluation is intended for individuals and organisations directly involved in, or connected to, the First Nations SEWB Program initiatives.

This includes stakeholder groups identified in the Evaluation Plan, such as:

• Funding partners and program governance representatives

• External service providers supporting initiative delivery

• Staff and representatives from the 10 funded program partners

• Participants involved in the funded initiatives

• Community members connected to the initiatives

• Elders and community leaders

• Young people participating in initiative activities

These individuals have direct knowledge or experience of the initiatives and are therefore best placed to provide insights into the program’s implementation, impact, and sustainability.

Participants must be 16 years of age or older, unless parental or guardian consent and participant assent are provided.

Participation in the evaluation is entirely voluntary, and all participants will provide informed consent before taking part in consultations, interviews, or surveys.

Participants will be invited via:

• The 10 funded program partners delivering SEWB initiatives

• Community organisations connected to the initiatives

• Program governance groups and stakeholders

• Sector partners involved in service delivery

This recruitment approach ensures engagement occurs through trusted community relationships and existing program networks, supporting culturally safe participation.

The evaluation will gather feedback through a range of culturally safe and accessible engagement methods which include:

• Community consultations and yarning sessions

• Interviews with community members and stakeholders

• Online surveys hosted through this engagement platform

• Stakeholder workshops

• Case studies of funded initiatives

• Review of program documentation and existing data

Consultations will occur both in person and virtually, allowing stakeholders across Queensland to participate in ways that are accessible and culturally appropriate.

The evaluation is grounded in culturally informed frameworks that recognise the importance of self-determination, Cultural Safety, and community leadership.

• Five Stones Cultural Framework: Recognising the interconnected relationship between Country, Community, Ceremony, Language and Lore.

• Collective Yarning: A culturally respectful engagement approach that centres Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and knowledge.

• Trauma-Informed Practice: Ensuring engagement processes prioritise safety, trust, empowerment, and wellbeing.

• Intersectionality: Recognising the diverse identities and experiences that shape people’s perspectives and wellbeing.

These approaches ensure the evaluation reflects the real experiences, priorities, and knowledge of communities.

This evaluation has been designed in accordance with national ethical guidelines for research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The evaluation is aligned to the:

• AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research (2020)

• NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2018)

• NHMRC Ethical Guidelines for Research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities (2020)

Key principles guiding the evaluation include:

• Cultural Safety

• Self-determination

• Respect for community knowledge

• Voluntary participation and informed consent

• Protection of participant confidentiality

Appropriate wellbeing supports and referral pathways will be available should discussions raise sensitive topics.

Ethics Statement

This project has successfully completed all required ethics and governance approval processes prior to commencement.

Approval has been granted by the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), with all project activities being undertaken in accordance with approved ethics protocols, Cultural Safety requirements, and relevant privacy and confidentiality obligations.

All consultation, engagement, participation and data collection activities associated with this project are formally approved and authorised under the relevant ethics and governance frameworks.

Your voice is important.

By participating in this evaluation, you can help ensure that future programs and investments reflect the needs, priorities, and strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queensland.

You can get involved by:

• Registering for a consultation session

• Completing the online survey

• Submitting feedback on funded initiatives