Indigenous

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Suicide among Australia’s Indigenous population is significantly higher than the general Australian population. Estimates suggest that, in some years, the suicide rate for Indigenous people in specific communities is as much as 40% higher than that for the Australian population as a whole. Over the past 30 years Indigenous suicide has increased, with young Indigenous males being the most at risk. 

This page contains the following sections: statistics, issues to consider, key players, National Suicide Prevention Strategy projects, policy, resources and research.


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Statistics

Gender

In line with patterns across the general population of Australia, Indigenous males are considerably more likely to die by suicide than Indigenous females. The following shows that the same pattern within each gender is evident for the different age groupings.

Indigenous males

  • Age 0-24: 30 per 100,000
  • Age 25-34: 105* per 100,000
  • Age 35-44: 62 per 100,000

Indigenous females

  • Age 0-24: 10 per 100,000
  • Age 25-34:  20 per 100,000
  • Age 35-44: 17 per 100,000

* Numbers are approximate.

Source: ABS (2008) The Health and Welfare of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Catalogue No. 4704.0)

Indigenous and non-Indigenous suicide rate discrepancy

According to the most recent ABS statistics (2001-2005), Indigenous males aged 44 years or younger are up to three times more likely to complete suicide than males who are not Indigenous. The discrepancy between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous male suicide rate aged 45 and over is approximately equal. A similar pattern is apparent for females.

 

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Issues to consider

Cultural differences need to be considered when working within Indigenous communities. The following are some suggestions to consider:

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  • Interconnected community focus on the following factors:
    1. spiritual;
    2. physical;
    3. emotional;
    4. social; and 
    5. cultural.  
  • Focus on promotion rather than prevention

Approaches to verbal and nonverbal communication. These can include:

  • use of non-confrontational language;
  • being a patient listener; and 
  • asking for clarification when uncertain.  

It is helpful to employ Indigenous workers where possible and workers who are culturally sensitive in suicide prevention activities. You may also like to consider engaging a cultural consultant and maintaining awareness of variation between different Indigenous communities.

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Key players

Mibbinbah

Mibbinbah exists to create safe spaces for spirit healing, empowerment, celebration and education and  training for Indigenous Men. The three-year research program aims to provide an understanding of what makes Indigenous Men’s Spaces safe and healthy places for men and how this might benefit families and communities.

Indigenous Psychological Services

Indigenous Psychological Services is a private company designed to address the inequities that exist for Indigenous people in relation to appropriate levels of access to specialist and culturally specific mental health and psychological services.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) is the national peak Aboriginal health body representing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services throughout Australia.

The National Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Workers Association Inc

The National Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Workers Association Inc works to bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social workers as a professional body, to exchange information, ideas, and to network for the benefit of our communities.

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is the world’s premier institution for information and research about the cultures and lifestyles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, past and present.

    National Suicide Prevention Strategy projects

      Life Matters for Koori Youth

      The Life Matters for Koori Youth in the Western Riverina is a joint project between the Murrumbidgee Division of General Practice and the Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service that aims to address self-harming and suicidal behaviour by Indigenous youth within the communities of Western Riverina, NSW.

      Mental Health First Aid Training and Research Program

      The Mental Health First Aid Training and Research Programconducts research and training courses that aspire to increase Australians’ understanding of mental health. The courses encourage community members to recognise symptoms of mental illness, to feel comfortable and informed about seeking help or assisting others to seek help, and to reduce stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness.

      The StandBy Response Service

      The StandBy Response Service is a community based program that provides a 24 hour coordinated crisis response to assist families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The service uses a community and evidence-based model which was developed from the latest theories in trauma, loss, grief and suicide bereavement.

      Community Activity Programs through Education– Indigenous Police Citizen Youth Club (Cape PCYC)

      Serving Indigenous youth aged 8 to 23, the overall aim of Cape Indigenous PCYC is to reduce youth boredom through sport and recreation.

      LifeForce suicide prevention program

      LifeForce is a national suicide prevention program that aims to educate, empower and resource Australian communities. LifeForce’s goal is to promote individual and community wellbeing with a specific focus on identifying and dealing with issues relating to potential and actual suicide

      We Know Our Strengths (previously funded)

      The We Know Our Strengths project originated in response to a high number of suicide attempts and deaths in the area. The Waltja Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation management committee of senior Indigenous women called for intergenerational activities to help reduce the occurrence of these tragedies.

        Policy

        Resources


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          Research


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            LIFE Helping someone at risk of suicide
            LIFE's Helping someone at risk of suicide brochure provides useful information about what a person can do if somebody close them is considering taking their own life.