Clear heads prevail thanks to Yurla Biriny Wangga project

Young Aboriginal men in WA’s Midwest are benefitting from a culturally secure yarning program that’s tackling common challenges around mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.

Yurla Biriny Wangga – or Clear Head – brings together participants for monthly, male-only yarning circles, held on Country and led by WA Country Health Service Midwest

Senior Community Drug Services Officer Leon Jones.

The sessions cover alcohol and drug-related prevention strategies and self-help, as well as life challenges relating to employment, relationships, and cultural identity.

Leon was inspired to develop the project after seeing first-hand the success of Hope Community Services' Men’s Bush Trip in the Goldfields.

He said feedback from participants and Elders had affirmed the need for a similar initiative, where culturally safe, male-only spaces are available to talk openly about mental health issues and substance abuse in the Geraldton area.

"Our aim is to reduce alcohol and other drug related harm for the people of the region through the provision of a quality, coordinated and professional service that targets individual and community needs,” Leon said.

For Aboriginal people, clinical environments can be perceived as judgmental or irrelevant to lived experiences, leading to disengagement and unmet health needs.

Yurla (male) Biriny (clear space) Wangga (yarn) is designed to encourage self-referral to support services by reshaping how health and wellbeing services engage with Aboriginal men.

Key community service providers are invited to attend the sessions and have reported stronger client relationships and greater trust.

Participants have described the circle as a “release valve”— a place to speak freely, connect, and heal.

“Yarning is a conversation that involves the sharing of one's own stories and the creation of new knowledge,” Leon said.

“It prioritises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of communicating, in that it is culturally appropriate and respectful.

“Yarning has a special place in Aboriginal culture and the practice has been around for many years.”

Yurla Biriny Wangga was officially launched after being selected a winner of WA Country Health Service’s 2024 Pitch Your Pilot program.

Participation has been steadily growing with the model now being explored for replication in the Meekatharra area.

Developed in consultation with Aboriginal men, Elders, and service providers, Leon’s long-term goal is to expand the model to support more men throughout regional WA.