COMMUNITY FACT SHEET

How is the Trial being run and by whom? The Trial is guided by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP).

A strong cultural framework underpins all its activities. Community decision making on suicide prevention strategies in local communities is a priority. Why a Suicide Prevention Trial in the Kimberley? The Trial is community driven through The Kimberley Aboriginal Suicide Prevention representation on the Working Group which Trial is helping to develop a model of suicide is co-chaired by the Minister for Indigenous prevention that meets the unique and Australians Ken Wyatt and Kimberley culturally sensitive needs of the region’s Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) Chief Aboriginal communities. Operating Officer, Rob McPhee.

The Australian Government chose the It is supported by WA Primary Health Kimberley as one of 12 national Suicide Alliance, Country WA PHN, in partnership Prevention Trial Sites. This is due to the tragic with KAMS, who are coordinating on-the- over-representation of suicide in Aboriginal ground activities. communities such as the Kimberley, where the age-adjusted rate of suicide is more than How much is being spent and how? six times the national average. The Australian Government has allocated $4 million to the Trial to date, most of which will Who is the Trial focusing on? be used for community activities identified in The Aboriginal community, with a specific community action plans. Other activities focus on young people. include community consultations, cultural mapping, training for health professionals, Which communities are involved? awareness campaigns, data collection, workforce and an evaluation. The trial covers the entire Kimberley region with nine sites chosen to develop local How long is the Trial and how will it be community-led responses. Broome, Bidyadanga, Dampier Peninsula, Derby, evaluated? Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Kununurra, Wyndham It began in mid-2017 and ends in June 2021. and Balgo. Planning was completed in December 2017 and implementation began in January 2018. Who else is involved? The University of Melbourne is evaluating the Community groups, federal, state and local Trial as part of a national evaluation. A local governments, GPs, health professionals and evaluation to better understand outcomes community health workers, all of whom are for the Kimberley will also be conducted. essential to tackling suicide in the region.

The Trial is supported by WA Primary Health Alliance in partnership with Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services. What has happened or is underway? Consulted and collaborated with Commenced a regional process to community, government, health, social implement a No Wrong Door approach to services and education sectors. mental health and social and emotional wellbeing services. Appointed the KAMS project trial coordinator to oversee community Ran the Yawartja Liyan equine therapy consultations and action plans. program targeting disengaged, high risk youth to build self-esteem and personal Signed a memorandum of understanding confidence. This included training 10 between WA Primary Health Alliance and Kimberley Aboriginal people as Equine WA Country Health Service to ensure Assisted Learning Practitioners. collaboration, coordination and optimisation of results in suicide Implementing a cultural security prevention and postvention. framework across Kimberley mental health services to provide best practice, culturally Appointed Prof. Pat Dudgeon, UWA Centre safe care. for Best Practice in Aboriginal Suicide Prevention, as the Trial’s data group chair. Implementing a self harm protocol across Kimberley clinics, schools and service Finalised an operational plan. providers to ensure access to appropriate Appointed the Kimberley Aboriginal Law care. and Cultural Centre, and completed Launched the Kimberley Postvention cultural mapping across the region to Service in partnership with KAMS, Thirrili, inform the Trial’s multiagency approach to and United Synergies. providing tools and systems to address Undertaking a self-harm and suicide data mental health and suicide prevention. audit to examine risk factors, and support Completed a campaign during the end of ongoing prevention programs. year holiday period to help people who Implemented the Wirnan Creative Project might be struggling to access support. as a result of cultural mapping Training for GPs and other health undertaken, bringing together five providers in suicide prevention and Kimberley Art Centres to collaborate and postvention. share the diversity and richness of

Recruiting community champions to Aboriginal art, language, and identity.

support communities to develop and Providing regular gatekeeper training to implement suicide prevention action plans. the nine sites, including Aboriginal Mental

Developed and are implementing Health First Aid, ASIST, SafeTALK and community action plans. Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Employed community liaison officers in Delivered the Kimberley Empowerment seven communities to support community Healing and Leadership Program in goals. Broome, Bidyadanga, Kununurra and Derby.

Key community activities Broome Undertook the "Start the TALK, Take the Empowered Young Leaders WALK Again Suicide" community healing Supported the Empowered Young Leaders and life promotion event, and numerous Project with two Empowered Young other family events, to bring the Leaders forums held. community together. The Empowered Young Leaders released a Established a Social and Emotional powerful report and Collective Impact Wellbeing basketball team linking lived Statement summarising the forums, and experience ambassadors and mentors the recommendations of young Kimberley with young people. people, to improve social and emotional wellbeing outcomes. Developing resources to be used across community, and to support lived The Empowered Young Leaders undertook experience consultations in Broome. a Youth Leadership exchange to New Zealand, were involved in the co- Derby facilitation and leadership in the WA Held traditional healing and bush Statement of Intent consultation medicine activities with significant uptake workshops, and have representation on of healing sessions.

the District Leadership Group, and the Created life-affirming and locally designed Children and Young People Priority sporting uniforms representing all teams Working Group. coming together in unity when it comes to

mental health. Balgo Undertaken the Balgo Suicide Prevention Held life promotion song writing Music program, producing life affirming workshops. songs in local languages, strengthening Fitzroy Crossing traditional language practice, and Ran "The Best You Can Be (Mad Bastards) increasing the uptake of the men's health healing program" on country activities program. with Elders in the Kurlku Desert. Restoration of the Balgo community gym to engage young people in it's use. Partnership between the Men's Outreach Brought 80 women together from across Aboriginal Corporation and the Fitzroy the Katjungka region, to compete in the Crossing Rangers, with a focus on future inaugural Balgo Women’s Football on-country activities.

Carnival in partnership with Garnduwa. Halls Creek

Bidyadanga Progressed the Lilman Saints family football camp supporting men and their Development of a traditional healers families to undertake on country activities, model to compliment western mental SEWB information sessions and suicide health clinical models. prevention education. Implemented suicide prevention talks and Organised the Halls Creek Expo to activities with local sporting teams, and in promote service providers to the the Kids After School Program. community, answering the community's Implemented a school holiday youth camp questions - "who is here to help, and what to explore protective behaviours and do they do?" suicide prevention activities. Held meetings with Jaru elders on teaching cultural healing. Key community activities

Kununurra Delivered suicide prevention presentations at community events and facilities, including the Gawooleng Yawoodeng women's refuge.

Facilitated connecting activities for young women with older women, to connect to country and culture, and to provide information, education, and guidance on social and emotional wellbeing.

Wyndham Connecting police and key service providers into work with community members.

Establishing help-seeking messages with young leaders and the local school, to develop culturally secure murals within the school grounds.

Held the Kimberley Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Camp at Home Valley River Camp, facilitating discussions and raising awareness of the safety and wellbeing of all members of the community.

Wot Na Wot Kine Media Campaign The Wot Na Wot Kine campaign, encourages young people to talk to someone they trust, to share their hard times.

Wot Na Wot Kine ran on social media, spotify, GWN7, 7MATE and 7TWO television channels, and Goolarri radio.

The campaign was well received, with more than 70,000 video views and 420,000 campaign impressions on social media alone.

More information Contact Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service Ltd.

9194 3200 [email protected]