The Albanese Government, in partnership with Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, are today launching the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035.
Closing the Gap Target 14 commits governments to a significant and sustained reduction in suicide.
The suicide rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is more than double that of the broader community.
Almost 80 per cent of suicide deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were those aged between 15 and 44.
Tragically, 81 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged between 5 and 17 years died by suicide last year.
The government will continue to invest in key social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention measures that are led and designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
As a first step, Gayaa Dhuwi will receive $1.9 million to work with all Australian governments and the sector to develop effective implementation plans for the strategy.
NACCHOs flagship Culture Care Connect, a first of its kind program delivering localised and culturally appropriate services in suicide prevention and aftercare, will receive $20 million to continue its critical work.
The Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership ($2.25 million) will also be extended, to embed the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in mental health and suicide prevention policies and programs to inform future investment.
The Government is also providing additional funding to selected First Nations initiatives under the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program.
Through the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program (NSPLSP) we will be investing $9.2 million to establish the Kadadjiny Centre. This will combine the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention and the Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing into a national centre to translate evidence into best practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander suicide prevention, mental health and wellbeing.
Under NSPLSP the Albanese Government is also investing:
- $3.9 million to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre to continue to elevate the voices of First Nations peoples’ lived experience
- $1.1 million to the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council for the Uti Kulintjaku – Clear Thinking activity building community capacity for the improvement of mental health and wellbeing amount Anangu people of Central Australia
- $2.4 million to NACCHO for Suicide Story a suicide prevention education and training program
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“Tragically, suicide deaths amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are worsening and lives continue to be cut short. This is unacceptable.
“There is no easy fix, but now thanks to the leadership of the First Nations community-controlled sector there is a 10-year roadmap to reverse this trend.
”This strategy emphasises the importance of local solutions and regional planning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention.
“It includes prioritising self-determination, building healthy societies and supporting thriving cultures.
“It will take collaboration and cooperation – across governments, communities, mental health organisations and experts – to reduce the loss of lives and build stronger communities.”
Quotes from the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
First Nations people are twice as likely to die by suicide than non-Indigenous Australians, and the devastating impact on their loved ones and communities is enormous and ongoing.
This Strategy provides a clear framework to work in partnership through the National Agreement on Closing the Gap to reduce suicide rates.
I acknowledge Gayaa Dhuwi for leading the renewal of the Prevention Strategy and recognise the many contributions received from Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people, communities and organisations.
Quotes attributable Assistant Minister Kearney:
“Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy. To think of the pain someone must go through before those moments and their families in the aftermath is heartbreaking. As a government we have to do everything we can to stop more preventable lives being lost.
“There is no single straw that causes someone to commit suicide, it’s a web of painful events. Cutting rates of suicide means coordination across the many government, legal and community sectors that interact with people’s lives. It’s a big job but one that must be done.
“Suicidal ideation, while definitely a government responsibility, is a very personal and painful infliction. That’s why supporting people’s journey with mental health cannot be a top-down process – we have to collaborate with communities, those in the sector and those with lived experience.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
“There are far too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that have lost someone to suicide. Every person lost to suicide is a profound loss, for the people who love them, their family, friends and community.
“The new strategy will support the mental health and suicide prevention sectors to provide culturally safe and coordinated care. The leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with lived experience is critical to delivering effective suicide and self-harm prevention services.
“We are grateful to Gayaa Dhuwi for their leadership and for every person with lived and living experience who has contributed to the strategy.”
Quotes attributable to Professor Tom Calma AO, Patron, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia:
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities face unique challenges in the context of mental health and suicide, shaped by cultural, historical, and systemic factors. These challenges require tailored approaches that are culturally informed and sensitive.
“Further, it requires all levels of government to coordinate their efforts in close engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to also address the social and cultural determinants that impact on all aspects of our health.”
Quotes attributable to Professor Helen Milroy AM, Chair, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia:
“Our people deserve to live happy and long lives, enjoying high levels of social and emotional wellbeing and mental health.
“The new strategy provides positive ways for government and community to work together, ensuring our people can get the support they need, where they need it.
“It will help reduce barriers to mob seeking mental health support and ensure that culturally safe care is available.”