New project offers hope to reduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicides

The Stringer

The Australian government has awarded funding to a national project that will formally evaluate suicide prevention programs serving the nation’s Indigenous peoples. “While there are many worthwhile community-initiated and other suicide prevention programs operating in Indigenous communities, less than a handful have been formally evaluated,” said Pat Dudgeon, director of the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project.“This lack of an evidence base has hindered the establishment of suicide prevention and early intervention best practice programs and services and also dissuaded governments from investing in suicide prevention among Indigenous people.” The project will also review existing national and international research, and consult directly with communities.

Spark Extra! Learn about the creation of Australia’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention strategy.