The First Sleep Health Program for First Nations Adolescents Could Change Lives

Sleep Health Challenges for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teenagers

Adolescence is a critical life stage when emerging independence, changing social roles, excessive screen time, academic pressures, and significant biological changes can lead to emotional and behavioral problems. The current generation of teens is chronically sleep-deprived and considered the most sleep-deprived group in human history. In teenagers, irregular bedtimes, short sleep duration, and poor sleep quality are commonly reported sleep issues, which can cause emotional regulation issues, risky behavior, and academic disengagement.

The issue of poor sleep and its impact on life outcomes needs particular attention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teenagers who experience disproportionately high rates of poor outcomes in health, social and emotional well-being, and education. The ongoing effects of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and other social determinants of health increase the vulnerability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teenagers to poor sleep. While some poor sleep issues are transient, continued exposure to racism, discrimination, household overcrowding, and lack of safe sleeping spaces lead to chronic sleep issues.

A Co-Designed Approach to Sleep Health

In response to community needs, Australia’s first sleep health program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teenagers – Let’s Yarn About Sleep – 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. Community yarns also identified the need to strengthen local sleep health service delivery and train Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as “sleep coaches.”

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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. The ten-week program includes data collection before and after delivery, including questionnaires, sleep diaries, and actigraphy (a non-invasive method of monitoring human rest and activity cycles).

What the Program Involves

The program empowers young people to identify their sleep health goals and work with coaches to achieve them. At the beginning of the program, participants identify a group and an individual goal they would like to attain. The group goal focuses on making sleep health a priority, while individual goals are focused on responses to personal circumstances.

While the program’s key focus is to improve participants’ knowledge, understanding, and awareness of sleep health, one of the key objectives is to support participants in developing sustainable sleep hygiene practices (healthy habits for a good night’s sleep). During the program, participants learn about sleep hygiene practices such as following a consistent bedtime, reducing screen time, and practicing Indigenous relaxation training before bedtime.

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 the majority of the program participants were staying up until very late at night. However, participants achieved their self-identified goals and believe 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 prioritize their sleep health and develop sustainable sleep hygiene practices. The program’s co-designed approach has engaged community members and service providers in addressing the unique sleep health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teenagers.

FAQs

Q: What is the primary goal of the Let’s Yarn About Sleep program?

A: The primary goal of the program is to improve participants’ knowledge, understanding, and awareness of sleep health and support them in developing sustainable sleep hygiene practices.

Q: Who was involved in the co-design and evaluation of the program?

A: More than 200 community members were involved in the co-design and evaluation of the program, including Traditional and Western knowledge on sleep health.

Q: What is the duration of the program?

A: The program is a ten-week program that includes data collection before and after delivery, including questionnaires, sleep diaries, and actigraphy.

Q: How many teenagers have been enrolled in the program?

A: 35 teenagers have been enrolled in the program, and 13 have graduated.

Q: Has the program been integrated into any local high schools?

A: Yes, the program has been integrated into the Emerging Leaders program at the local high school.