[Greens-Media] Aboriginal suicide prevention programs poorly implemented: WA Greens

[Richards, Kirsten]

Last night in Parliament WA Greens MLC Alison Xamon called upon the Government to improve flawed Aboriginal suicide prevention programs after receiving complaints from Kimberley Aboriginal communities.

"The appalling Aboriginal suicide statistics and the significant challenges faced by many Aboriginal communities in this area are no secret," Ms Xamon said.

"Aboriginal communities are telling me that the state suicide prevention strategy, which is tasked with addressing this problem, is flawed.

"The One Life strategy - as it is called - rightly aims to be community driven and to empower communities to develop local strategies.

"Unfortunately, this intention has not always translated on the ground.

"If the implementation of these programs is not managed properly, it can have an adverse impact on the community, including undermining community cohesiveness and exacerbating existing local tensions.

"The feedback I have received indicates that in some communities this is precisely what is happening.

"There are also serious concerns being raised about the lack of provision of follow up and ongoing support, and the tendency for these programs to be provided as one-off or an isolated processes.

"In addition, the compressed time frames and funding arrangements of the One Life strategy are not flexible enough, causing some communities to feel rushed.

"On a broader note, I share the concern, noted by many, that Aboriginal suicide prevention is too often focused on mental health.

"Certainly there is a need in this area.  However, the fact is that mental illness is not generally the cause of Aboriginal youth suicide in the Kimberley.

"The broader issue of the causes of Aboriginal youth suicide is a complex topic.

"But we do know that cultural wounds require cultural healing and it is critically important that young Aboriginal people having a sense of identity, belonging and purpose.

"We are being told that Aboriginal youths are taking their lives because they cannot see a future for themselves, and suicide prevention efforts must be founded on addressing this basic premise.

"The prevention of Aboriginal youth suicide in the Kimberley is too important for any government to get wrong.

"All the goodwill in the world will not make up for flawed delivery.

"I call upon the Government to acknowledge that there are problems on the ground, to make sure these people are heard and, more importantly, to ensure the issues are addressed."