We Know Our Strengths

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.

Program duration

Commenced June 2007.

Location and people

The program is based in the Northern Territory and targets Indigenous men in the remote aboriginal communities of:

• Titjikala
• Mt. Liebig
• Santa Teresa

Aims

We Know Our Strengths aims to develop:

• resources with local communities to address suicide and self-harm in a remote aboriginal context
• processes manual to help guide future suicide prevention projects with the aid of an evaluator .

Activities

• Cultural and family trips to local waterholes and other significant sites.
• Health promotion activities in partnership with other health providers.
• Intergenerational activities that validate men’s role in caring for their families and as active participants in their communities.
• Development of local suicide prevention and awareness resources.

Model

A flexible community-based approach that is sensitive to the needs of Indigenous men.

Lessons learnt

• One size does not fit all.
• Suicide prevention requires a community-by-community approach.
• Cultural context and geographical regions are important issues to consider when developing suicide prevention activities.

Evaluation information

An independent evaluator has been selected who has lived in the region. A specific set of evaluation tools have been developed for the project and the evaluator conducts field visits to the three communities to assess achievements.

Umbrella organisation

Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation.

Project partners

Life Promotion Program (Mental Health Association of Central Australia).

Contact

Email Liz Archer, Youth Services Manager at Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation, at youth@waltja.org.au.