Indigenous Leaders Call for Input to Renew Indigenous Suicide Prevention Strategy

To find out more or to make a submission please visit:

https://www.gayaadhuwi.org.au/sp-strategy-renewal/

Marking World Suicide Prevention Day, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia (GDPSA) announced the renewal of the 2013 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy (NATSISPS) and called for stakeholders to make sure their voices are heard during the process.

GDPSA CEO Mr Tom Brideson explained:

The NATSISPS was released in May 2013. It was developed by Indigenous experts and leaders in mental health and suicide prevention and remains a sound evidence-based strategic response to Indigenous suicide. However, it also responded to a set of circumstances that have changed since 2013 and that require it to be renewed.

GDPSA would like to hear from you to inform the NATSISPS renewal process. To that end, between now and the end of 2020, we will be hosting a number of targeted subject matter roundtables and Zoom consultations with particular groups, but there is also the opportunity to participate through our website and to make submissions against a Discussion Paper we have developed.

Professor Pat Dudgeon, GDPSA director and National Director of the Centre of Best Practice in Indigenous Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) continued:

Australian governments announced the renewal of the NATSISPS, alongside the development of a new mainstream national suicide prevention plan, in the 2017 Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. GDPDSA has been asked by the Australian Government to renew the NATSISPS and will work closely with CBPATSISP and the Prime Minister’s National Suicide Prevention Taskforce to that end. We also want to hear from a range of stakeholders and – on behalf of both GDPSA and CBPATSISP – I strongly encourage you to participate – including Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders.

GDPSA Chair Professor Helen Milroy continued:

Preliminary advice we have provided to the Taskforce are that there are two priority areas for consideration in NATSISPS renewal. The first is establishing Indigenous governance of Indigenous suicide prevention including at the national, regional and community levels. The second is establishing what is important to include in integrated approaches to Indigenous suicide prevention in our communities. In particular, with reference to ATSISPEP’s Solutions That Work report, and the to-be-released learnings from the Indigenous-specific suicide

prevention trial sites. This includes consideration of clinical and cultural support elements of mental health and suicide prevention service provision.

GDPSA CEO Mr Tom Brideson closed by saying:

I encourage any person or organisation committed to Indigenous suicide prevention to participate in the NATSISPS renewal process. GDPSA’s Vision is Indigenous leadership and excellence and the achievement of the highest attainable standard of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention outcomes for Indigenous peoples in Australia. By making your voice heard in the NATSISPS renewal process, you can help us reach that goal.

To find out more or to make a submission please visit:

https://www.gayaadhuwi.org.au/sp-strategy-renewal/

Available for media: Professor Pat Dudgeon; Professor Tom Calma AO (GDPSA Patron) Call Alasdair on 0424 774 971 or Phiona on 0401 235 284