NORTHAM is set to receive a new public mural as part of a mental health push involving creative activities that boost the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.

The mural to be painted at 6 Wellington Street will begin works on January 26, led by lead artist Alex Kinneen, known as Sugar.

The mural is part of the state government-funded Stay Strong, Look After You and Your Mob campaign, inviting young Aboriginal people to work alongside an experienced artist to create large-scale public artworks carrying messages of self-care, resilience and community connection.

Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the campaign promoted wellbeing not only through the murals’ public messages, but through the creative process itself.

“This important campaign promotes the social and emotional wellbeing of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through the artwork’s public messaging, and through the creative process,” she said.

Northam is already known for murals that celebrate community stories, characters and heritage, with colourful artworks transforming everyday streets into shared cultural spaces for locals and visitors alike.

The addition of the wellbeing-focused mural continues that tradition, using public art to bring meaningful messages into the heart of the town.

Ms Hammat said the initiative was designed to take young people offline following the introduction of the social media ban for children under 16.

“This campaign takes young people offline to create and engage with something meaningful in a public space,” she said.

By working alongside experienced local artists, young people are encouraged to express themselves through art while contributing to a permanent feature within their community.

“By working with an experienced artist in each of the locations, young people can experience the benefits of expressing themselves through art and, hopefully, be inspired by what they can achieve,” Ms Hammat said.

The Northam mural forms part of a broader statewide rollout, with murals also being painted in Karratha, Geraldton, Perth and Albany.

The campaign aims to inspire young people to look after themselves and their mob, while engaging Elders, community groups and health professionals who support Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing.

The Northam mural will feature a theme promoting positive communication and “yarning with someone you trust” according to Made You Look director Will Clark.

“(Alex) designed the mural based on all the feedback from the Indigenous kids (from Northam), and hopefully during the process, the kids can come down and help install the mural,” he said.