You have finally entered adulthood. It can be a shocking shift from your previous years as a kid and a teenager because suddenly you’re out of school and in the adult world.
While you still have all your support systems with you it is expected that you take on more responsibility as well. You would have graduated high school and you may decide to go on to University or TAFE or perhaps you go into a full time job. Either way most of these decision are driven by you not those around you. As a young adult you might decide you want to move out on your own or you might stay at home. This is a bit of a transition period for you to find your footing as you set up your future.
This page will explore the key goals and milestones, challenges and tasks as well as some services you can access that can assist you as a young adult!
Image source: Koori Parenting: What Works For Us, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service.
1. Eat Healthy
Active Tasks
- Identify healthy food options
- Define ‘Sometimes’ food vs. ‘Regular’ food.
- Develop healthy snacking options
- Limit takeaway & junk foods
Supporting Resources
2. Have clean healthy teeth
Active Tasks
- Understand the importance of having healthy teeth
- Understand how to properly brush your teeth
- Book regular dentist appointments
Supporting Resources
3. Keeping Active & Fit
Active Tasks
- Join locall sports team
- Join a Koorie sports club
- Attend Koorie sports carnivals
- Make time for exercise during the week
- Learn a traditional game that you can play with your community
Supporting Resources
- Yulunga Traditional Indigenous Games
- The Fitzroy Stars (website)
- The Fitzroy Stars (Facebook page)
- Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport and Recreation Co-Operative
- The Rumbalara Football & Netball Club
- Clothing the Gaps Foundation
- Koorie Basketball Academy
- Wellah Workout Series
- Move It Mob Style (Dance Exercise videos)
4. Get enough sleep
Active Tasks
- Understand the importance of healthy sleep
- Understand the healthy habits that help promote quality sleep
Supporting Resources
Image source: Mental Health Info, Headspace.
5. Drug & Alcohol Awareness
Active Tasks
- Educate yourself on the different substances and what they do to your body.
- Understand the effects it has on Community
- Understand smoking the financial & health costs involved.
- Having support services & people to go too
Supporting Resources
- WellMob, Smoking Resources
- WellMob, Alcohol Resources
- WellMob, Drug Resources
- Cost of Smoking Calculator
- Aboriginal Quitline
- Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation (specialist drug & alcohol rehab support)
- Bunjilwarra Youth Rehab
6. Stand strong against racism
Active Tasks
- Learning to walk away
- Develop Self-care practices
- Tell your parents or caregivers about racism that’s being experienced
- Find creative outputs to express feelings (music, art, painting, photography, videography)
Supporting Resources
- Responding to Racism (It Stops With Me)
- Responding to Racism (Beyond Blue)
- Deadly & Proud YouTube channel
- Racial Vilification Laws Victoria
7. Sexual Identity
Active Tasks
- Understanding the different terms
- Understanding the history of the different communities
- Understand your own body
- Understand the difference between gender identity and sexual identity
- Identify LGBTQIA+ Elders and other safe people (i.e. Brother boys & Sister girl) to connect and yarn with
- Be aware of different support services
Supporting Resources
8. Sexual Health
Active Tasks
- Understand what Safe Sex is
- Understand what Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) are
- Understand the role of Shame
- Understand what consent is
Supporting Resources
- Condoman & Lubelicious
- Young Deadly Free YouTube Channel
- First Nations Sexual Health Information Page
- STI Fact Sheets
- STI Information brochure
9. Healthy Relationships
Active Tasks
- Understand Consent
- Understand the red flags that make a relationship unhealthy
- Be aware of the Services & Support lines for if you are feeling unsafe
Supporting Resources
- WellMob, Healthy Relationships Resources
- Music Video on Healthy Relationships
- Djirra (Women's Support Service)
- 1800 Respect
- Being Safe Online
Downloadable Resources
Download and print the resources below.
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Guide to Healthy Eating - Wall Chart
Eat different types of foods from the five food groups every day. Drink plenty of water. [Source: www.eatforhealth.gov.au]Download
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Healthy, Deadly Lunch Boxes!
These cards are full of great ideas for different foods and snacking options that you can have in your lunch box to make it healthy and nutritious.Download
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Dental services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
A dental services brochure produced by The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne for First Nations people residing in Victoria.Download
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Sexually Transmitted Infections Guide (VACCHO)
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation has created a Infection information guide which breaks down each of the different infections which can result when we don’t take safe, preventative measures when engaging in intimate relations.Download