Lessons from implementing a hybrid online/in-person social and emotional wellbeing program for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males in the Northern Territory, Australia
1
Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Darwin, Australia
2
One Percent Program, Darwin, Australia
3
School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
4
School of Education, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
5
Flinders Institute of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
6
Institute of Social Science Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
7
The National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
8
Indigenous Allied Health Australia, Darwin, Australia
9
School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Few health promotion programs have been tailored to the unique health, social, and cultural needs and preferences of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males. This presentation will describe the outcomes and lessons of implementing a hybrid online and in-person social and emotional wellbeing program (YBMenNT) for this priority population in the Northern Territory, Australia. The program was adapted from the US-based Young Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) project and designed to promote social and emotional wellbeing, strengthen gender and cultural identities, and enhance social support.
METHODS:
The program pilot was delivered to three cohorts (n=36) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males aged 16-18 years across 2024-2025. Delivery was facilitated by an Indigenous youth-led organisation, in partnership with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations with a strong history of engaging young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males. The evaluation involved both qualitative and quantitative elements, including pre- and post-program surveys, and a combination of individual interviews, focus groups, yarning sessions, and observational methods, consistent with decolonising research methods, and underpinned by Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles. Human research ethics approval was obtained.
RESULTS:
The YBMenNT program ran over 6-8 (non-contiguous) weeks. For each week of program delivery, all cohorts were engaged in a ~1 hour in-person session involving a combination of physical activity, mindfulness meditations, and discussions about the week’s YBMenNT program topic (e.g., manhood, respectful relationships, social and emotional wellbeing, cultural identity and resilience). Preliminary results show an increase in self-reported social and emotional wellbeing, social connectedness, and life satisfaction among program participants. These results will be presented, alongside lessons learned during the adaptation and pilot delivery process.
CONCLUSIONS:
Culturally-responsive, age-appropriate, and gender-sensitive hybrid online/in-person social and emotional wellbeing programs can be effective with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males if appropriately contextualised.
Few health promotion programs have been tailored to the unique health, social, and cultural needs and preferences of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males. This presentation will describe the outcomes and lessons of implementing a hybrid online and in-person social and emotional wellbeing program (YBMenNT) for this priority population in the Northern Territory, Australia. The program was adapted from the US-based Young Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) project and designed to promote social and emotional wellbeing, strengthen gender and cultural identities, and enhance social support.
METHODS:
The program pilot was delivered to three cohorts (n=36) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males aged 16-18 years across 2024-2025. Delivery was facilitated by an Indigenous youth-led organisation, in partnership with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations with a strong history of engaging young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males. The evaluation involved both qualitative and quantitative elements, including pre- and post-program surveys, and a combination of individual interviews, focus groups, yarning sessions, and observational methods, consistent with decolonising research methods, and underpinned by Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles. Human research ethics approval was obtained.
RESULTS:
The YBMenNT program ran over 6-8 (non-contiguous) weeks. For each week of program delivery, all cohorts were engaged in a ~1 hour in-person session involving a combination of physical activity, mindfulness meditations, and discussions about the week’s YBMenNT program topic (e.g., manhood, respectful relationships, social and emotional wellbeing, cultural identity and resilience). Preliminary results show an increase in self-reported social and emotional wellbeing, social connectedness, and life satisfaction among program participants. These results will be presented, alongside lessons learned during the adaptation and pilot delivery process.
CONCLUSIONS:
Culturally-responsive, age-appropriate, and gender-sensitive hybrid online/in-person social and emotional wellbeing programs can be effective with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males if appropriately contextualised.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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