Minungka makes a difference in mental health

A proud Anangu Yankunytjatjara man originally from the Northern Territory and South Australia, Minungka is currently completing a Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315) and undertaking his placement with Murri Watch.

Murri Watch is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisation that provides crisis intervention and support services across Meanjin, Brisbane.

Drawing on his culture and lived experience to support others on their mental health journey, he has already set his sights on enrolling in the Diploma of Mental Health (CHC53315) in 2026, continuing his journey to help others heal - just as he has.

“Sadly, a lot of my own family has faced Mental Health challenges as part of the Stolen Generations,” Minungka said.

“I’ve dealt with Intergenerational trauma and had to do a lot of healing myself. Now that I’m in a stronger and more resilient place, I want to use what I’ve learned to support others - especially my Aboriginal brothers and sisters - who are still finding their way through tough times.”

After working in the security industry for several years, Minungka decided to make a career change and pursue his passion for helping people.

Encouraged by TAFE Queensland’s Fee-Free TAFE initiative, he returned to study, determined to create a more positive future for himself and his community.

“Coming from a low socio-economic background, the Fee-Free TAFE program has given me a real opportunity,” he said.

“It gave me a way to get back into education without the financial pressure, and it’s helped me change direction in life. I want to make my family and my Mob proud.”

Minungka has found a strong sense of belonging and cultural safety at TAFE Queensland, particularly through the Indigenous studies area.

The dedicated space on the South Bank campus is where students can connect with Indigenous Support Officers and peers, access culturally informed guidance, and engage in meaningful conversations about identity and learning.

“The Indigenous studies area gives me a safe space to ground myself. It’s somewhere I can yarn with other Mob, get support when I need it, and stay connected to culture.”

“Having those people around me in a space like that makes a big difference - it reminds me that I belong here.”

Throughout his studies, Minungka has found a strong sense of belonging and cultural safety at TAFE Queensland.

“The teachers and Indigenous engagement officers here are very supportive,” he said.

“They create a culturally safe space where I can be myself, focus on my learning, and feel connected to my culture. That support has made a huge difference.”

Minungka said his time at Murri Watch has helped him put his learning into practice and strengthened his commitment to supporting all people - Indigenous and non-Indigenous - experiencing mental health challenges.

“Murri Watch focuses on helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but they don’t turn anyone away. That’s how I want to work too - my goal is to help everyone who needs support, while keeping my focus on Closing the Gap for our Indigenous people,” he said.

Minungka said perseverance, resilience, and purpose have guided him through every challenge in his journey so far.

“The first half of the year was tough - I even thought about giving up, but I stuck it out, and now everything’s coming together,” he said.

“I’ve learned to be resilient all my life through hardship and trauma, and now I’m using that strength to move forward.”

As he looks ahead to his Diploma studies and a future career in the Mental Health and AOD sectors, Minungka hopes his story inspires others to take the first step toward change.

“If you care about helping people, do it for the right reasons. Be passionate, be empathetic, and give it a go.”

“There’s a big future in mental health because so many people need that support - and with the right training, you can make a real difference,” concluded Minungka.