S39: FEATURED SYMPOSIUM: Indigenous Australia – How Indigenous Community-Led Interventions Are Making a Difference in Crisis and Adversity

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By December 7, 2022 No Comments

Authors: Tom Brideson, Annette Vickery, Maree Toombs, Marjorie Anderson, Stewart Sutherland

Year: 2022

Event: 2022 TheMHS Conference

Subject: indigenous, first nations, suicide prevention, services, co-design

Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers

Abstract: Featured Symposium: How Indigenous community-led interventions are making a difference in crisis and adversity

Chairperson: Tom Brideson

This symposium springs from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities, who are building their own services from the ground up to help 'close the gap' in mental health. We will learn about navigating the complexities in developing services that support the mental health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians at the most critical times of crisis and adversity in their lives. What have been the questions, challenges, barriers and opportunities encountered along the way? We will hear from Indigenous service leaders about their vision, partnerships, co-design and capacity-building approaches and the differences their services are making on the ground. Suicide rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are currently twice that of non-Indigenous communities. Despite continuing disparities and inequity of access to culturally safe mental health and wellbeing supports, there is hope, strength and connection, all necessary to build culturally led approaches to respond to the experiences within communities.

Presentation One
Speaker: Annette Vickery, CEO, Thirrili, national provider of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific postvention support and assistance.
Topic: How do we commit to delivering self-determination, supporting/empowering communities to set their own healing pathways to ensure we prevent future suicides.

Presentation Two Speaker: Dr Maree Toombs, Associate Dean, Indigenous Engagement, University of Queensland, a partner in developing the IASIST suicide prevention training program
Topic: Partnerships, Reciprocity, and Co-design: How to work effectively with First Nations people and Research

Presentation Three
Speaker: Marjorie Anderson, National Manager Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Support Team Lifeline Australia
Topic: Co-design of a 24/7 free Crisis Service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Presentation Four
Speaker: Dr Stewart Sutherland, Chair Indigenous Health Framework, ANU School of Medicine and Psychology
Topic: Black Summer Bush Fires, reversing Racism and gaps in service delivery, in the Shoalhaven.

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