Each year on September 10, communities and organisations come together to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, suicide continues to have devastating and tragic impacts on families, Kinship, connection and Culture.
The rates of suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Victoria is three times higher than the non-indigenous population. These passings reflect not just loss, but deeply rooted and ongoing trauma to families and Communities, emphasising the urgent need for culturally safe, and responsive Community-led support and healing.
VACCHO’s Balit Durn Durn Centre is helping to shape Aboriginal-led suicide prevention responses for Victoria and seeks to support communities to “just have the yarn”.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, yarning about suicide is a powerful way to express themselves in a judgment-free way.
Acting Executive Director of the Balit Durn Durn Centre, Nicola Perry-Peters says by encouraging these yarns, they can create a safe space for conversations where people feel heard, without judgement and stigma, and promote help-seeking and positive social and emotional wellbeing.
“We encourage our mob who are in need of help to reach out and have a yarn, there are culturally safe supports available. We know the rates of suicide speaks to lives lost, but there are still so many who are dealing with very high levels of psychological distress,” Ms Perry-Peters said.
The Victorian Department of Health through the Suicide Prevention and Response Office, resourced the Balit Durn Durn Centre to lead and co-design the development of Aboriginal-led suicide prevention response initiatives.
As part of the response, the Centre established an Aboriginal expert advisory group which has recently been named the Garrka yap-u burrundyata Knowledge Holders Group which translates into “Holding the light in the darkness” in Wotjabolik language.
The role of the group is to provide collective knowledge, guidance and expertise in the development and co-design of self-determining approaches to suicide prevention and response across Victoria.
The Centre is pleased to officially launch the artwork that will represent this group, their life stories and initiatives.
“The artwork is important to our work as it gives our project and group meaning, a visual identity and purpose which is something that has previously been missing. The journey illustrated in the artwork highlights the different cultural identities and experiences of our People,” Ms Perry-Peters said.
The key suicide prevention response initiatives that the Garrka yap-u burrundyata Knowledge Holders Group have identified include:
An online service directory to enhance service navigation and access to culturally safe services and resources.
Awareness raising campaign to elevate the voice of lived experience and reduce the stigma linked to suicide.
Targeted tools and resources in response to community priorities and needs.
The delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid training funded through the Cultural Care Connect program.
These initiatives mirror the urgent call of World Suicide Prevention Day, to come together and create meaningful change that supports the social and emotional wellbeing and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
By recognising the power of “just having the yarn” we are reminded that prevention begins with connection, listening and standing together.
NOTE: Your social and emotional wellbeing is important. If this has brought up any concerns or issues for you, further support can be found through any of the following resources:
- Brother to Brother or call 1800 435 799
- 13YARN or call 13 92 76
- eheadspace
- WellMob
- QLife or call 1800 184 527
- The National Indigenous Postvention Service – After Suicide Support 24/7 | 1800 805 801
- Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467
- Lifeline Australia| 13 11 14
