Leading the charge on Indigenous suicide prevention
Suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is twice as high as other Australians, and for younger people its higher still.
Published at Shaping Australia Awards by the University of Western Australia
Suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is twice as high as other Australians, and for younger people its higher still.
The University of Western Australia’s Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention is committed to identifying and promoting evidence-based suicide prevention practices to empower people and communities.
Importantly the centre’s programs and services are screened through an Indigenous lens, disseminating a range of tools and resources through various avenues for maximum positive impact within communities.
The centre’s Aboriginal-led research actively performs collaborations, including:
- strengthening social and emotional wellbeing in the criminal justice system
- working with Telethon Kids Institute to co-design an aftercare program following a suicide attempt
- examining coronial responses to suicides of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with the centre working to ensure the uptake of its recommendations.
Led by Aboriginal academic Professor Patricia Dudgeon AM, the team is passionate about understanding the complexity of this issue and saving lives. The Centre prioritises Indigenous voice for solutions that work for Indigenous suicide prevention.
