New measures to combat Indigenous suicide welcomed

Leading Indigenous suicide prevention expert Professor Pat Dudgeon has welcomed important measures in the Federal Budget to address suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Professor Dudgeon, Director of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention at the University of Western Australia, said further commitment was needed to ensure the sustainability of key programs.

Professor Dudgeon welcomed the focus on systemic issues impacting Indigenous people, including a $10 million boost to the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) to extend its online social and wellbeing resources and supports, which were initially funded in the context of the referendum on the Voice to Parliament and the rise in racism experienced by Indigenous people at that time.

“This funding acknowledges the lived experience of our people and the impact on our wellbeing of continuing discrimination and disadvantage,” she said. “I am pleased to see this funding extended under Indigenous leadership,” she said.

Professor Dudgeon also supported the $12.8 million allocated to the Indigenous Youth Connection to Culture Program, which is being trialled in 12 communities and promotes cultural connection to reduce youth suicide.

Co-designed with Indigenous Elders and youth, the program demonstrates a best-practice regional approach to suicide prevention, empowering communities to develop their own responses to local challenges, according to Professor Dudgeon.

“This is a positive model for communities,” she said. “Now we need to see it fully evaluated and funded so more regions can benefit.”

She also praised a $4.6 million allocation for culturally appropriate health and wellbeing checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people taken into custody – when suicide risk is very high – but called for further measures to address the over-incarceration of Indigenous Australians.

Other Budget measures – including funding for a National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, culturally safe family dispute resolution services, Indigenous language learning and the return of cultural artefacts – would promote respect and pride in Indigenous cultures and enhance community wellbeing, Professor Dudgeon said.

The Budget did not address continuing funding for the $53 million Culture Care Connect program, the largest ever Indigenous-led mental health and suicide prevention initiative, which is delivered by NACCHO and its member organisations at 31 regional sites. Its current funding ends in June 2025.

“I look forward to further announcements about the long-term future of Culture Care Connect, which is an essential component of a culturally safe suicide prevention response for our people and strongly aligned to the recommendations of the forthcoming National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy,” Professor Dudgeon said.

The Budget also includes investment in mainstream mental health supports, including online services for people with less severe conditions, walk-in centres for adults with more complex issues, lived experience workforce development and service redesign for children and young people.

Professor Dudgeon said it was vital to ensure these initiatives were also accessible and culturally safe.

“We welcome the investment in services that are specific to our communities, but all mental health provision in Australia should be welcoming and supportive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” she said.

Professor Pat Dudgeon, Director of The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP), is available for interviews.