First National Manual to Prevent Suicide in Indigenous Communities

About the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP)

The CBPATSISP was established in 2017 to develop and share evidence about effective suicide prevention approaches for Indigenous people and communities. Building on the foundation of the earlier Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP), the CBPATSISP influences Indigenous suicide prevention policy, practice and research by promoting access to evidence and resources and through advocacy.
The work of the CBPATSISP is centred on the rights of Indigenous people and communities to self-determination, and the critical importance of cultural responses to distress alongside clinical approaches.
The CBPATSISP is a Commonwealth Government-funded consortium led by The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the School of Indigenous Studies, The University of Western Australia, with partners The Healing Foundation, Telethon Kids Institute, Menzies Institute for Medical Research and Health InfoNet.

About suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2020):

• Suicide accounts for 6% of all deaths among Indigenous people (vs 2% non-Indigenous).
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Indigenous males (vs 10th non-Indigenous). It is the 7th leading cause of death for Indigenous females (vs 23rd non-Indigenous).
• One-third of all Indigenous child deaths (ages 5 to 17) are suicides.
• 23% of all suicide deaths in Australian children (ages 5 to 17) are Indigenous children.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples embrace a holistic concept of mental and physical health within a broader context of social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB). This recognises the interconnectedness of physical and mental health with spiritual and cultural factors and connection to Country, community and traditions.
The lasting impacts of colonisation have resulted in intergenerational trauma and social and economic disadvantage at individual, family and community levels. This can result in multiple stressors such as unresolved grief and loss, trauma and abuse, domestic violence, removal from family, substance misuse, family breakdown, cultural dislocation, racism and discrimination, which challenge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Trauma, grief and loss as well as alcohol and substance use are key factors in Indigenous suicide deaths. Healing programs and services to promote social and emotional wellbeing are essential components of a culturally safe Indigenous suicide prevention response.

About the Manual of Resources in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention

The Manual brings together video, podcast, graphic and written resources that have been developed by or with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The resources are for use in situations ranging from building resilience and empowering communities, to crisis support and responding after a suicide. The Manual is presented in three sections, for:

Individuals, families and friends, young people, Elders and community organisations

• Fact sheets and checklists about when and how to seek help
• Music and spoken word videos
• Animations to foster pride and resilience in Indigenous children

Clinicians and other support workforces

• Examples of culturally responsive support practice
• Self-care for practitioners supporting Indigenous clients
• Policy commitments to Indigenous people by professional groups

Primary Health Networks and other funding organisations

• Interactive decision tools to support appropriate investment decisions
• Links to PHN Reconciliation Action Plans and suicide prevention trials
• Examples of positive partnerships with Indigenous organisations

The Manual builds on the foundational work of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP), which described the principles of Indigenous suicide prevention, making those ideas accessible to broad groups of users.

Download a copy of this Media Release. Watch the Launch on Youtube.