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Australian Aboriginal people rarely migrate overseas. However, since colonisation they have been forced to migrate within Australia, away from their traditional homelands, living in alien cultural settings under considerable, long-term stress. In this respect they are in a similar position to asylum seekers or refugees who are detained on entering Australia, experiencing high rates of depression, anxiety and unresolved posttraumatic stress. Aboriginal people themselves point to the healing effects of the land, their traditional country. The interaction of Aboriginal people with country is similar to the interaction they have with people. Studies over several decades have shown that a return to traditional country and caring for country has a positive impact on wellbeing and that the wellbeing of Aboriginal people is tied to the wellbeing of the country. Healing programs based around traditional country, culture and spirituality have been shown to have a beneficial effect on the wellbeing of Aboriginal people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]