The CBPATSISP leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention
Posted 27th June 2024
By Dr Jemma Collova, Research Fellow, The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) - The University of Western Australia
The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) is Australia’s leading voice on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention practice, and is led by Professor Pat Dudgeon.
Based at the University of Western Australia, CBPATSISP makes clear that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide is different from non-Aboriginal suicide, and so different prevention approaches are necessary.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide arises from complex historical and social factors, and current disadvantage. The CBPATSISP states that effective suicide prevention strategies must ensure Indigenous governance and self-determination are included in approaches, and that there is a focus on community empowerment and connections to culture.
A key purpose of the CBPATSISP is to identify and promote evidence-based suicide prevention practices. For example, CBPATSISP maintains a clearing house of Best Practice Programs and Services, which are reviewed for inclusion through an Indigenous lens.
The CBPATSISP is involved in a range of Aboriginal-led research and prevention projects which aim to prevent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide and strengthen social and emotional wellbeing.
Some of the current projects led by CBPATSISP include:
Co-created guidelines to support truth-telling about suicide to the media
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are crucial to shifting the media’s deficit-focused narrative when reporting on key issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In collaboration with Everymind, the CBPATSISP co-designed guidelines which empower Aboriginal community members to share their truth about suicide in a way which is safe and supported. This collaboration occurred with the leadership of Megan Krakouer and Gerry Georgatos.
This project contributes to ongoing efforts to enhance communication and reporting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide, emphasising the courage of people with lived and living experience in sharing their stories. It is hoped the resources will help to support truth-telling in a safe way, change the media’s narrative surrounding First Nations suicide, and to promote advocacy. You can access the co-designed guidelines here.
Strengthening social and emotional wellbeing in the criminal justice system
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the criminal justice system experience particularly poor mental health and wellbeing outcomes.
The CBPATSISP is working with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to implement and evaluate Aboriginal-led programs which strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people in the justice system.
These include collaborations with:
- Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services and Centacare Kimberley, to evaluate the delivery of the Kimberley Empowerment, Healing and Leadership Program in the West Kimberley Regional Prison.
- Danila Dilba Health Service to implement the Cultural, Social and Emotional Wellbeing (CSEWB) Program, to be delivered within the Darwin justice system in partnership with the Salvation Army.
- Langford Aboriginal Association to evaluate the CSEWB Program at the Boronia Pre-release Centre for Women.
Aunty TJ is on TikTok!
In response to the failed Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum and racism that has followed, the CBPATSISP developed and promoted a series of TikTok videos. The aim of these videos is to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people with their culture through messages from Elders. Featuring Noongar Elder, Aunty Tjalaminu Mia (TJ), the TikTok channel has attracted more than 2000 followers. You can follow the TikTok account (@auntytj) to hear from Aunty TJ, as she imparts messages of love and hope, and emphasises the transformative power of reconnecting with culture, Country and families.
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