News

Suicide and self-harm issues in Mildura-Robinvale area

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:03:00

The Mildura Aboriginal Corporation is planning new programs to address a recent series of suicides and attempted suicides in the Koori community.

The lack of indigenous mortality data in Victoria means reliable statistics are difficult to obtain, but anecdotal evidence indicates there have been 12 cases of suicide or attempted suicide in the Mildura and Robinvale regions in the past six months.

“Even one death or suicide attempt is too many, but the trends in recent months have given us cause for concern,” the Mildura Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Rudolph Kirby said.

“We already know the suicide rate for Koori people nationally is around three times higher than the general population, and the leading cause of death from external causes for indigenous males.”

Mr Kirby said the concerns about suicide and self-harm indicated the importance of MAC’s planned new $4 million health centre in Orange Avenue.

“The concept of a wrap-around service within our families and health services areas is what we are striving for,” he said.

“It will mean every worker that a client comes into contact with can identify those risk-factors and ensure the appropriate supports are put in place, not only for the client, but for those around them – family and friends.

Mr Kirby said anecdotal evidence from the MAC catchment area indicated the most at-risk groups –were males and females aged 15-29 and males over 40.

“We don’t have programs that specifically target suicide, and that’s of some concern, because we have already seen a case locally where an instance of suicide was followed with another incident or incidents within a family group,” he said.

“All of our health and welfare programs have a role in identifying people at risk, but because the risk rises within family and friendship groups after an incident, we think a specific suicide prevention and bereavement officer would be a positive step.”

Mr Kirby said he was pleased Mildura has been chosen as the only site in Victoria for a National Research Project on Koori youth suicide.  The study is being done through the University of Western Australia, and will involve interviewing and collecting qualitative data from Mildura community members.

In addition, funding was available through a $4.5 million dollar Federal funding to tackle indigenous suicide.  A joint application had been made to the fund through Victoria’s peak Aboriginal Health body and Beyond Blue.

Mr Kirby said he would welcome the implementation of a number of promising initiatives outlined in the Victorian Government’s Aboriginal Suicide Prevention and Response Action Plan.
The report found that:

• There are some common risk factors for attempting and completing suicide amongst both Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal Australians, such as alcohol and drug misuse, homelessness, lack of employment, family or relationship breakup, mental illness and poor physical health
• The Victorian Aboriginal Suicide Prevention and Response Plan Establish a youth suicide prevention program for two regions across Victoria to focus on suicide prevention, early intervention and community support for Aboriginal young people.
• Support selected youth and community mental health services to develop new approaches to preventing suicide by building resilience and social connectedness in young persons who have self-harmed, as well as families, peers and local communities connected to young persons who have committed suicide.
• Develop and implement a series of clinical practice guidelines for emergency departments and mental health services for the assessment and treatment of Aboriginal people at risk of suicide.
• Identify future directions for Koori Night Patrol and local justice worker programs and explore options for these workers to have training in Aboriginal mental health first aid training and/or Applied Suicide Intervention Support Training (ASIST).

Mr Kirby said the aim should be to ensure important risk-factors weren’t overlooked at any stage.
“Our intention is to try to extend our ongoing training for our staff around prevention and intervention,” Mr Kirby said.

“What would also be a good initiative would be to look at trying to extend that into the wider Koori community – similar to the Beyond Blue checklist approach, where people are helped to know the signs to look out for and know the most effective strategies they can take.”

The Mildura Aboriginal Corporation’s support services can be contacted on 5018 4100, and anyone experiencing difficulties should contact Lifeline 1800 273 8255.