Promoting mental health and well‐being in Aboriginal contexts: successful elements of suicide prevention work

Issue addressed The Suicide Prevention in Country SA (SPICSA) initiative was funded by the South Australian Social Inclusion Initiative in response to concerns about the higher rates of self‐harm and suicidal behaviour in regional areas across the State, particularly for young people and Aboriginal...

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Veröffentlicht in:Health promotion journal of Australia 2007-12, Vol.18 (3), p.247-254
Hauptverfasser: Stacey, Kathleen, Keller, Nicole, Gibson, Bonnie, Johnson, Ron, Jury, Leanne, Kelly, David, Newchurch, Ann, Newchurch, Lyn, Ryan, Bronwyn, Short, Tanya
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Issue addressed The Suicide Prevention in Country SA (SPICSA) initiative was funded by the South Australian Social Inclusion Initiative in response to concerns about the higher rates of self‐harm and suicidal behaviour in regional areas across the State, particularly for young people and Aboriginal people. Methods A variety of strategies and resources were provided to facilitate coherence across the State, while ensuring local areas had flexibility to design initiatives that responded to their needs and directions. These strategies mirrored good practice elements for working in Aboriginal contexts. Results Successful community‐driven activities were implemented in local areas that focused strongly on a health promotion approach, not just a prevention approach, and that engaged Aboriginal people effectively in the process. This resulted in learning and confirmation about suicide prevention work in Aboriginal contexts, including the value of community partners. So what? Inclusive, collective processes and self‐determination are central values for Aboriginal peoples and at the core of ‘Aboriginal health community‐controlled philosophy’, which emerged well before the advent of the Ottawa Charter. In championing the idea of being responsive to the needs of communities and supporting community participation, health promotion must pay respect to the existing wisdom of Aboriginal workers, elders, leaders and community members about how to work in ways that achieve good outcomes for Aboriginal peoples as defined by Aboriginal peoples.
ISSN:1036-1073
2201-1617
DOI:10.1071/HE07247