Suicide action pledge

Indigenous alarm bells

ONE-QUARTER of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicides in Victoria during the decade to April were people aged under 24, according to a Coroner’s Court report.

That’s despite Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing life expectancy at birth for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians between 2015 and 2017 was 71.6 years for men and 75.6 years for women.

The Coroner’s Court report released this week showed the indigenous suicide rate was twice that of the state’s non-indigenous population during the past decade.

It’s led to calls for indigenous-specific support services and even a Geelong-based phone service to give young people a “safe” space.

Wadawurrung Aboriginal Corporation cultural manager Corrina Eccles said support services needed to be “culturally appropriate”.

“We need to have pathways which are accountable. Many organisations that work in this space need to provide culturally appropriate support,” Ms Eccles said.

“When young people are speaking up they need support ASAP, they can’t wait to access processes of having mental health plans established.

“It is alarming, the rate. It’s an Australia-wide issue not just an issue in remote communities.”

Geelong MP Christine Couzens said the tally was “disturbing, unacceptable and required action”.

“The fact that suicide rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander peoples in Victoria are twice that of the state’s non-indigenous population highlights the need for preventative support in communities,” Ms Couzens said.

“I will continue to work with Aboriginal organisations, Strong Brother Strong Sister, Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative and Wadawurrung to address the number of suicides and ensure prevention supports are put in place.”

To address the rates of indigenous suicide, the Coroners Court of Victoria will establish ongoing annual reporting to build a comprehensive public dataset over time.

A report from the court found:

RATES of indigenous suicides were higher in regional areas (59.8 per cent) than metropolitan areas (40.2 per cent);

THE tally of 117 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders suicides in Victoria included 82 males and 35 females; and,

MALES aged between 25-34 and 45-54 were most at risk.

The court, which receives reports on suicides, has also established a Koori engagement unit to enhance information about rates within the Indigenous community.

Attorney-General Jill Hennessy said the royal commission into mental health would “address” the “broken” system.

In 2018, the State Government committed $40.3 million over five years to improve outcomes for indigenous people who come into contact with the justice system.

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