This paper aimed to highlight the systemic and theoretical barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been bereaved by suicide. Incorporating the lived experiences of two advocates, Leilani Darwin and Julie Turner, and professional experiences of Matthew Trindall and Laura Ross, the paper explores the importance of including Aboriginal lived experiences in programs for Indigenous suicide prevention. Informed equally by an analysis of the lived experience and suicide prevention literature and the...read more
When comparing suicide in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) population to that in the non-Indigenous populations of Australia, there are significant differences in the rates of suicide and the age groups at risk of suicide. The etiology of these differences includes a history of colonisation and its aftermath including a burden of intergenerational trauma in the Indigenous population. It also includes contemporary disadvantage and discrimination. These not only impact on Indigenous family and...read more
As many as one in ten Indigenous deaths could be caused by suicide, a suicide prevention researcher has warned. Gerry Georgatos says the official statistics are masking the true extent of the crisis, and he's sounding the alarm on the rate of suicide amongst young Indigenous Australians. 'Too many are dying too young,' says Georgatos. The researcher says the Indigenous youth suicide crisis is so 'catastrophic', he's set up an online petition calling on the...read more
The relationship between religiosity and mental health is a relatively well-researched field within North America, covering numerous domains of religiosity, including: religion, spirituality, prayer, church attendance, church affiliation and belief in God or a higher power. Considering the Australian literature, there are few papers that explore these dimensions of religiosity and their relationship with health, and in particular, very little research into the field of religiosity and mental health. Using systematic literature review methods, this...read more
Last week’s terrible news that a 10-year-old Aboriginal girl had taken her own life shook many Australians. Yet there would be few Aboriginal families who have not already been affected by the suicide or attempted suicide of their young people. This includes our own extended families and kin.read more
Suicide is a complex behaviour with many causes. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples there are specific cultural, historical, and political considerations that contribute to the high prevalence, and that require the rethinking of conventional models and assumptions.read more
The Rising Spirits Project investigated what supports Aboriginal people need during bereavement, what is available that is being utilised by Aboriginal people, where the gaps are and the levels of community and state readiness to address grief and loss.read more
“We are working at a pace to make a real difference but in the end it will come down to governments recognising that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide is a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. If you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged 15 to 35, nearly one in three deaths will be a suicide, We have the capacity to radically reduce the suicide crisis within less than a decade but we need the...read more
The Wharerātā Group of Indigenous mental health leaders from Canada, the United States, Australia, Samoa and New Zealand developed the Wharerātā Declaration in 2010.1 It comprises five themes on the importance of Indigenous leadership in addressing the common mental health challenges faced by Indigenous peoples around the world. Member countries of the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership endorsed the Wharerātā Declaration in 2010 and now promote it as a key part of their work...read more
A community-driven mental health program in an Arnhem Land Indigenous community is being held up as a case study for the rest of Australia. A small local team has been running the program at Galiwin'ku on Elcho Island for the past eight years, which has included support for the community in the aftermath of two tropical cyclones. 5th October 2015read more
