A Better way: suicide prevention strategy

By PETER ROWE

The suicide rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is more than double that of the broader community.

Almost 80 per cent of suicide deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were those aged between 15 and 44.

And tragically, 81 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged between 5 and 17 years died by suicide last year.

As a first step to reduce these shocking numbers Gayaa Dhuwi will receive $1.9 million to work with all State governments and the sector to develop effective implementation plans to create a better way.

The launch the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035 sees an opportunity to Closing the Gap Target 14 – a reduction in suicide.

“First Nations people are twice as likely to die by suicide than non-Indigenous Australians, and the devastating impact on their loved ones and communities is enormous and ongoing,” Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said.

“This Strategy provides a clear framework to work in partnership through the National Agreement on Closing the Gap to reduce suicide rates.

“I acknowledge Gayaa Dhuwi for leading the renewal of the Prevention Strategy and recognise the many contributions received from Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people, communities and organisations.”

Culture Care Connect, a first of its kind program delivering localised and culturally appropriate services in suicide prevention and aftercare, will receive $20 million to continue its critical work.

The Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership ($2.25 million) will also be extended, to embed the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in mental health and suicide prevention policies and programs to inform future investment.

The Government is also providing additional funding to selected First Nations initiatives under the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program.

Through the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program (NSPLSP) we will be investing $9.2 million to establish the Kadadjiny Centre.

This will combine the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention and the Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing into a national centre to translate evidence into best practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander suicide prevention, mental health and wellbeing.

$3.9 million will be invested in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre to continue to elevate the voices of First Nations peoples’ lived experience.

$1.1 million will go the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council for the Uti Kulintjaku – Clear Thinking activity building community capacity for the improvement of mental health and wellbeing amount Anangu people of Central Australia.

And a further $2.4 million to NACCHO for Suicide Story a suicide prevention education and training program.

“There is no easy fix, but now thanks to the leadership of the First Nations community-controlled sector there is a 10-year roadmap to reverse this trend,” Health Minister Mark Butler said.

Professor Helen Milroy, Chair of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia said people deserved to live happy and long lives, enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing and mental health.

“It will help reduce barriers to mob seeking mental health support and ensure that culturally safe care is available,” she said.