Indigenous suicide: “Prevention should focus on cultural reconnection”

The Guardian

Some advocates from Indigenous communities in Australia, which have been hit by high rates of youth suicide, have launched a campaign for greater cultural awareness to be built into suicide prevention programming. “We have seen a problem that was close to nonexistent a generation ago explode into an epidemic that is devastating families and communities right across the top end of Australia,” wrote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Commissioner Mick Gooda, in the recently released Elders’ Report into Preventing Indigenous Self-harm and Youth Suicide. This report includes interviews with several Indigenous elders and outreach workers, who were asked to share their perspectives and suggest priorities for reversing the trend. Many of those interviewed emphasized the importance of drawing on Indigenous cultural traditions and values, and praised programs such as the Balunu Foundation, which runs a camp and other projects for Indigenous youth who are considered at risk for suicide. “The primary focus is cultural reconnection. It’s about building self-identity, and with that as the foundation we move to self-worth, self-belief, getting the kids to understand who they are and be able to walk in two worlds,” said David Cole, chair of the foundation.

Spark Extra! Read the Elders’ Report.