Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voices Have the Solutions to Suicide Prevention: Who’s listening and who’s taking action?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are a diverse people of great strengths, power and endurance with a profound understanding of human beings and the environment. In 2021, 5 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths were attributed to suicide compared to 2 per cent of non-Indigenous deaths. Suicide was the leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15-44 years. 

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP) is a milestone, government-funded, Aboriginal-led evidence-based initiative to reduce suicide rates. A key aim of the ATSISPEP was to provide an evidence base for culturally responsive programs and services to support suicide prevention in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and inform state and national government policies and commissioning frameworks.

In summary, the findings from the current review demonstrate the widespread uptake and influence of ATSISPEP report findings and recommendations across Primary Health Networks and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention policy and practice at local, state and national levels.