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The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention

The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (CBPATSISP) is Australia’s leading voice on Indigenous suicide. The centre is led by one of the first Indigenous Psychologists, Professor Pat Dudgeon and is based at the University of Western Australia. CBPATSISP aims to reduce the causes, prevalence and impact of suicide on Indigenous individuals, families and communities (with a focus on at risk groups) by identifying, translating and promoting the adoption of best practice in Indigenous specific suicide prevention activity, including that which is found in emerging domestic and international research.

CBPATSISP has a clearing house website and has developed best practice guidance and resource materials to support responsible and appropriate commissioning of Indigenous suicide prevention activities. A quick snapshot of the resources that may be useful for the individuals, their communities, as well as Primary Healthcare Networks (PHN) may be found below:

The Manual contains resources that can help PHNs support the wellbeing of Indigenous people through culturally safe and sustainable commissioning. Under the “Suicide Prevention Funding section dedicated to PHNs, there are resources dedicated to guiding PHNs on how to integrate cultural awareness and create a culturally safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples according to the latest guidelines such as Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) – Guiding Principles and the National Agreement on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. There are also other practical tools and checklists such as ‘Planning a suicide prevention activity’ that will guide PHNs to meet the targets outlined in the National Agreement on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in delivering social and emotional wellbeing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The tools and checklists help to ensure that Indigenous perspectives are embedded in operations of PHNs. The checklists comprise of a list of questions designed to build organisational capacity to work under Indigenous governance, to ensure responsible and appropriate commissioning of Indigenous suicide prevention activities. Once completed, the checklists can be printed for discussions within organisations.

There are also stories of positive commissioning and a collection of tools and resources that PHNs have developed to support their commissioning process, which the CBPATSISP has assessed to be culturally appropriate in commissioning services to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health, social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention.

Under the Best Practice Research section, CBPATSISP has collated research articles by topic that are culturally safe (e.g., Indigenous-led) and relevant. Topics include Suicide Prevention, Screening and Assessment, and Social Determinants.

Under the Best Practice Programs and Services section, CBPATSISP collated a list of programs that cater to a specific need such as prevention of suicide, and enhancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing and social and emotional wellbeing. Each program has been evaluated based on best practice criteria which includes i) Indigenous ownership, ii) Community consultation and co-design and iii) cultural responsiveness.

CBPATSISP has created several factsheets such as The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Gap that summarizes research conducted on suicide prevention and provides an overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide statistics. These factsheets can be printed and distributed in PHN clinics to raise awareness of the disparity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide rates.

Under the policy report section, CBPATSISP has also written up a number of policy reports such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP) report which has since become the blueprint for policies and funding targeted to improve outcomes for Aboriginal peoples. The ATSISPEP is highly cited in Indigenous research, used in government framework and strategies, and can be used to guide the practice of service providers and communities.

Quick links to factsheets and resources:

Contact

Our twitter and facebook account also provides regular updates on the work that we are doing at CBPATSISP and other developments relevant to suicide prevention.

Twitter

@cbpatsisp

Facebook

@cbpatsisp

Website

cbpatsisp.com.au