First Nations Sleep Health Program

Sleep Health: A Sensitive Life Stage for First Nations Adolescents

Adolescence is a critical life stage for emerging independence, changing social roles, excessive screen time, academic pressures, and significant biological changes, which can lead to emotional and behavioral problems. The current generation of teens is chronically sleep-deprived, making them the most sleep-deprived group in human history.

Irregular bedtimes, short sleep duration, and poor sleep quality are common sleep issues among teenagers. These problems can cause emotional regulation issues, risky behavior, and academic disengagement. In the long term, poor sleep can lead to obesity, health conditions (including diabetes), mental health problems, and risk-taking behavior.

The issue of poor sleep and its impact on life outcomes needs particular attention for First Nations adolescents, who experience disproportionately high rates of poor outcomes in health, social and emotional well-being, and education.

Sleep Vulnerability

The ongoing effects of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and other social determinants of health increase the vulnerability of First Nations adolescents to poor sleep. While some poor sleep issues are transient, continued exposure to racism, discrimination, household overcrowding, and lack of safe sleeping spaces can lead to chronic sleep issues.

Sleep health data for First Nations peoples is limited, but some studies suggest that one in three young First Nations people struggle with poor sleep, significantly higher than their non-Indigenous counterparts.

A Co-Designed Approach

In response to community needs, Australia’s first sleep health program for First Nations teenagers was co-designed in Mount Isa, Queensland. Community members were vocal about wanting to harness the potential of sleep as part of efforts to improve health outcomes, reduce teenage contact with the criminal justice system, and improve academic engagement.

The co-design and evaluation of the program involved consultations with more than 200 community members, integrating Traditional and Western knowledge on sleep health and offering ideas for improving sleep.

What the Program Involves

The program empowers young people to identify their sleep health goals and work with coaches to achieve them. Participants identify a group and an individual goal they would like to attain, focusing on making sleep health a priority.

The program’s key focus is to improve participants’ knowledge, understanding, and awareness of sleep health, while also supporting participants in developing sustainable sleep hygiene practices.

What Happened as a Result of Improved Sleep

So far, 35 teenagers in the community have been enrolled in the program, and 13 have graduated. The program has also been integrated into the Emerging Leaders program at the local high school.

The program data shows that participants achieved their self-identified goals and believe that this program gave them tools to improve their sleep.

Conclusion

The first sleep health program for First Nations adolescents has the potential to change lives by empowering young people to take control of their sleep health. By leveraging the untapped potential of sleep health, we can improve academic and sporting performance, reduce crime, improve health outcomes, and empower First Nations young people.

FAQs

Q: What is the main focus of the sleep health program for First Nations adolescents?

A: The main focus of the program is to empower young people to identify their sleep health goals and work with coaches to achieve them.

Q: What are the key objectives of the program?

A: The key objectives of the program include improving participants’ knowledge, understanding, and awareness of sleep health, while also supporting participants in developing sustainable sleep hygiene practices.

Q: What is the significance of the program for First Nations adolescents?

A: The program is significant for First Nations adolescents because it addresses the disproportionately high rates of poor sleep and its impact on life outcomes, which can lead to chronic health conditions, mental health problems, and risk-taking behavior.

Q: How does the program address the cultural needs of First Nations adolescents?

A: The program addresses the cultural needs of First Nations adolescents by incorporating Traditional and Western knowledge on sleep health, and by training Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as sleep coaches.