Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)

There are many contraception options available, and choosing the right one is a personal decision. Understanding the different types of contraception allows you to make the best choice for your body and lifestyle. It’s important that you feel informed and supported in this decision. Your local ACCO can provide advice on contraception that respects your cultural values and personal health needs. 🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍🖤 #WomensHealthWeek #YourVoice #YourChoice #Contraception

This Women's Health Week, VACCHO would like to give a shout out to all the Aunties and Tiddas who get involved and screen with The Beautiful Shawl Project. Since 2018, The Beautiful Shawl Project has worked with 30 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and other Aboriginal-led services to bring cultural screening shawls and accessible breast screens to their Communities. We would like to celebrate all the Aunties and Tiddas at each of these organisations who work tirelessly to support their Community to stay healthy and get screened. #WomensHealthWeek #YourVoice #YourChoice #BeautifulShawlProject

Every Tidda's journey with periods and menopause is unique, and understanding what's normal for you is essential. Keeping track of your period symptoms can help you better understand your health and communicate your needs. Periods and menopause can be sensitive topics, but it's okay to seek advice in a culturally safe space where you feel comfortable discussing your health. If your period pain affects your daily life or if common treatments don’t help, reaching out to a respected healthcare professional is important. Your local ACCO is here with supportive and culturally safe care through this journey. 🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍🖤 #WomensHealthWeek #YourVoice #YourChoice #Periods #Menopause

VACCHO is thrilled to announce the release of our research paper, Food Policies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (FoodPATH): A Systems Thinking Approach, published in the prestigious Elsevier Journal. Developed with Deakin University, this paper highlights the growing food insecurity in Aboriginal communities in Victoria – and the bold actions required to address it. Key actions include increasing access to healthy foods, promoting local food growing, enhancing food-related knowledge, and regulating junk food marketing. VACCHO calls on governments to fund ACCOs to deliver vital initiatives that support Aboriginal families to thrive. Read the full story and research here https://buff.ly/4e5qREi #FoodSecurity #VACCHO #AboriginalHealth #CommunityLed #FoodPATH

This Women's Health Week, and always, it's your voice and your choice. 🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍🖤 Women's health isn't just about the physical - it's also about your mental, emotional and social wellbeing. Talking openly about women's health can break barriers, inspire others and empower Mob to take control of their health. And remember, asking for help shows real strength. When you share your story, you strengthen our Community. Your local ACCO offers a culturally safe space where you can receive the support and care you need. #WomensHealthWeek #YourVoice #YourChoice

Gunditjmarra brothers Javier & Darchi Clarke stopped by VACCHO this morning ahead of their big a run next week from Ballarat to Echuca to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention. Follow their journey on IG @2clarkes and share/donate page

We need to remove the stigma around suicide. Bringing conversation into the light. In the words of our Knowledge Holders, living, feeling, healing, thriving. – Sheree Lowe, Djab Wurrung and Gunditjmara, Executive Director, Balit Durn Durn Centre World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September raises awareness about suicide and challenges the silence surrounding it. A recent report revealed that between 2018 and 2022, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria died by suicide at nearly three times the rate of non-Indigenous people. In response, VACCHO members advocated for immediate change, leading to the creation of the Balit Durn Durn Centre. The Centre is resourced to lead and coordinate an Aboriginal-led, self-determined suicide prevention response in Victoria, in partnership with the Aboriginal community, experts, and organisations. A Knowledge Holders Advisory Group has also been established to elevate Aboriginal voices and provide collective knowledge, expertise, and experience to ensure a culturally safe and inclusive response. The group recently met to discuss community needs and prioritise actions. Join us in raising awareness and having a yarn about suicide. If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to: • Brother to Brother: 1800 435 799 • Yarning Safe n Strong: 1800 959 563 • Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 • Lifeline: 13 11 14 • Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au • Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au • If life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #SocialEmotionalWellBeing

🌈 Today, VACCHO proudly celebrates Wear It Purple Day! 💜 Wear It Purple Day is all about creating supportive, safe, and empowering spaces for our Rainbow young people. By wearing purple, we stand together in solidarity and inclusivity. This year’s theme, ‘Your Passion, Your Pride,’ features artwork by Nicky Tsekouras reminding us all of the importance of uplifting and supporting our young Rainbow Mob and their dreams. 🌈🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍🖤🌈 Explore our Rainbow Mob Resources for fresh new posters and tools to help foster safety and inclusion in your organisation. Let’s work together to create a safer and more inclusive community for our young Rainbow Mob! https://buff.ly/3KNDxmO #WearItPurple #YourPassionYourPride #RainbowMob #Inclusion #VACCHO

We want to hear your thoughts on how research is being conducted in your Community. VACCHO has developed marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri: the Victorian Aboriginal Health, Medical and Wellbeing Research Accord (Accord). The Accord seeks to ensure that research that impacts Mob is ethical and beneficial for Mob. VACCHO is developing a process to keep researchers and research organisations accountable, and we need your input on how to design it. If you are interested in sharing your opinions and experiences, please contact us at [email protected] or leave your details via the form below, if you would like to have a yarn. https://buff.ly/4dGn5S4 Artwork credit: VARAP Accord, by Trina Dalton-Oogjes, Wadawurrung/Watharrung and Gunditjmara, Origin: Victoria, Australia (2021) #VACCHO #Research #ResearchAccord #ResearchEthics

Did you know there are many different ways to have a yarn? Through talking, sign language, picture or word books, electronic devices, behaviour and body language, and many other methods! This week VACCHO would like to celebrate all the ways you can yarn with your family, friends and Community. Speech Pathologists can help people of all ages who experience communications difficulties with understanding language, forming sounds and sentences, using communication aids, reading and writing, as well as managing saliva control, and difficulties with eating, drinking, and swallowing. Have a yarn with your GP or Aboriginal Health Service about how a Speech Pathologist may be able to support you: Learn more about the different ways of communicating > https://buff.ly/4dSh70F Learn more about speech pathology > https://buff.ly/30e5bkG #SpeechPathologyAwarenessWeek #CommunicateYourWay #AboriginalHealth #TorresStraitIslanderHealth #VACCHO