Mental Health

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Advisory Group

Information about the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Advisory Group.

On 10 September 2011, Ministers Butler, Macklin and Snowdon announced the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Advisory Group - see World suicide prevention day - bringing experts together to tackle suicide

The group was chaired by Dr Tom Calma, former Social Justice Commissioner. Members of the group provided guidance in consultation with the Australian Suicide Prevention Advisory Council (ASPAC), on the development of the first national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific suicide prevention strategy. Additionally, the group provided strategic advice on priorities for the quarantined investment of $6m funding to be provided through the Taking Action to Tackle Suicide package. This will be targeted at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific suicide prevention activity to ensure the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities are met.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Advisory Group met six times during its tenure to December 2012.

The members of the group were:

• Dr Tom Calma, Northern Territory (Chair)
• Ms Adele Cox, Western Australia
• Professor Ernest Hunter, Queensland
• Mr Tom Brideson, New South Wales
• Dr Pat Dudgeon, Western Australia
• Ms Mary Victor O'Reeri, Western Australia and
• Mr Ashley Couzens, South Australia.

Page last reviewed: 14 March 2013