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health crisis presentations. This results in a mutual respect and, when necessary, a close working relationship. 7.2.7 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers (ATSIHW) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers (ATSIHW) are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have a certificate or diploma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Healthcare, and work in the health sector (NATSIHWA). They undertake a variety of health tasks as members of the healthcare team and are usually based in the primary healthcare centre. There are currently 391 registered ATSIHWs in Australia (AHPRA, 2015). This study was unable to ascertain how many work in remote communities who are not registered with AHPRA. ATSIHWs prefer the term ‘social and emotional wellbeing’ over ‘mental health’, as mental health is one aspect of the holistic health of the individual (Social Health Reference Group, 2004). ATSIHWs assist with delivering Western bio-social mental healthcare to Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients, but they are also able to assist with Indigenous mental health patients who require more traditional and culturally appropriate care and support. Many ATSIHWs are born in the remote community in which they work and hence, have a depth of knowledge and ‘inter-connectedness’ within the community, which remote nurses do not: There’s consistent health service employees on the ground. The ATSIHW’s … [are] the crux in what brought the whole thing and the community together, because they had that knowledge. [T13, p. 15] They also usually have extended family in the community. This knowledge and relationship to the community places them in a unique and valued position in relation to