Our Programs
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have shown remarkable resilience in the face of the ongoing impacts of colonisation, racism and discrimination and intergenerational trauma.
We have a suicide rate 2.3 times higher than other Australians; and this rate has increased over the past few decades (AIHW, 2020) having devastating and ongoing impacts on all our families and Communities.
To talk with us about this subject please contact Culture Care Connect Coordinator Rob Gerrie on (08) 8273 7200 or by email at [email protected].
AHCSA believes self-determination and community control lie at the heart of improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Culture Care Connect or CCC brings together key streams of suicide prevention planning, coordination & activity across the network regions; including raising awareness, early intervention, crisis management and Aftercare Services.
- Up to 31 Community Controlled Suicide Prevention Networks (CCSPNs) will be established across the country/nationally.
- Aftercare Services will be delivered by ACCHOs participating in CCSPN in partnership with existing regional mental health services. This provides a strong and clear pathway between community-controlled and mainstream services and acute care settings for Aboriginal clients at risk of or recovering from a suicide attempt, their families, and Communities.
- The integration of suicide prevention planning and Aftercare Services enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led coordinated approach to reduce the prevalence of self-harm, suicide ideation and suicide in a way that meets the needs and priorities identified by Communities.
CCC aims to:
- improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and suicide prevention outcomes
- build evidence and understanding through working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts and those with lived experience
- support a culturally appropriate mental health system workforce
- provide early intervention measures that contribute to improved social and emotional wellbeing outcomes.
Aftercare Services = support for person who has attempted suicide or is thinking about it (focused on culturally safe care & support)
Postvention Services = immediate response after a suicide death - to ongoing support for loss survivors - family and community (focused on culturally safe care & support).