Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/30095
Title: Pathways to prevention: closing the gap in Indigenous suicide intervention pathways
Contributor(s): Nasir, Bushra (author); Kisely, Steve (author); Hides, Leanne (author); Ranmuthugala, Geetha  (author)orcid ; Brennan-Olsen, Sharon (author); Nicholson, Geoffrey C (author); Gill, Neeraj S (author); Hayman, Noel (author); Witherspoon, Sally (author); Kondsalsamy-Chennakesavan, Srinivas (author); Toombs, Maree (author)
Publication Date: 2017
Open Access: Yes
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/30095
Open Access Link: http://www.ruralhealth.org.au/14nrhc/sites/default/files/BushraNasir_E5.pdfOpen Access Link
Abstract: Background: The overall Australian suicide rate has reached a 10-year high, with 3027 deaths reported last year alone. In Queensland, 109 children under the age of 18 took their lives in just the past four years; of these 31 were only between 5 and 14 years of age. Indigenous people are also twice as likely to die by suicide, with 152 deaths reported in the past year. Despite this, it is still unclear how effective existing suicide intervention pathways are in providing appropriate management of Indigenous people at risk of suicide. The aim of this study was to explore current pathways for Indigenous suicide prevention, identify gaps, and explore alternate models that are appropriate for Indigenous communities.
Methods: Semi-structured, face-to-face, community consultations with 29 individuals, and 19 service providers or community organisations, were conducted across five rural and regional towns of Queensland. The consultation sessions discussed existing pathways for suicide prevention, and attributed of models of effective pathways. Thematic analysis was performed to identify and analyse patterns and consistent themes.
Results: Community consultations identified that current pathways were not effective or culturally appropriate for Indigenous people at risk; and not sustainable for rural and remote Indigenous communities. Suggestions focused on implementing social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual underpinnings of community wellbeing. Identifying 'roles' within the local community and having each individual playing their own role, may lead to a sustainable suicide prevention model. Training is necessary for Indigenous communities, so they can identify people at risk, provide appropriate interventions, and prevent future risk of suicide. Indigenous appropriate suicide intervention training is also necessary for front-line service providers, so that those at risk are provided appropriate intervention, and support.
Conclusions: Evaluations of current pathways indicate that an Indigenous community-led approach is essential to encourage connectedness, and prevent suicide. Providing culturally appropriate training is more likely to provide effective solutions for Indigenous communities.
Publication Type: Conference Publication
Conference Details: NHRC 14: 14th National Rural Health Conference, Cairns, Australia, 26th - 29th April, 2017
Source of Publication: Official Proceedings of the 14th National Rural Health Conference, p. 1-8
Publisher: National Rural Health Alliance
Place of Publication: Deakin, Australia
ISSN: 1445-3363
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 111701 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
111714 Mental Health
111712 Health Promotion
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 420603 Health promotion
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 920303 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Health System Performance (incl. Effectiveness of Interventions)
959999 Cultural Understanding not elsewhere classified
920410 Mental Health
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 210303 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health system performance
200409 Mental health
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: E1 Refereed Scholarly Conference Publication
Appears in Collections:Conference Publication

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