More Support and Services for the Kimberley to Tackle Indigenous Suicide
The Australian Government is fast-tracking support and services in the Kimberley region of Western Australia in response to the recent tragic suicides of Indigenous people in the area.
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Previous MinistersJoint Release
The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing
The Hon Warren Snowdon MP
Minister for Indigenous Health
Senator Louise Pratt
Senator for Western Australia
14 April 2011The Australian Government is fast-tracking support and services in the Kimberley region of Western Australia in response to the recent tragic suicides of Indigenous people in the area.
Funding of more than $6 million is being brought forward to support new projects from the $274 million Taking Action to Tackle Suicide package, a Labor Government election commitment that aims to close the gap in Indigenous suicide.
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler said it was worrying that 4.2 per cent of Indigenous deaths were from suicide compared with 1.5 per cent of non-Indigenous Australians.
“The tragic number of recent suicides in the Kimberley region has been particularly worrying. This is why we will provide targeted suicide prevention interventions specifically for Indigenous communities in the Kimberley region,” Mr Butler said.
Funding will be provided through two Government programs:
- An immediate investment of up to $150,000 for enhanced psychological services for Indigenous communities in the Kimberley Region and for associated education and training. Provided through the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program.
- Up to $6 million over four years for targeted suicide prevention interventions, making Indigenous communities the first priority under the $22.6 million Supporting Communities to Reduce Risk of Suicide component of the Taking Action to Tackle Suicide package
“We urgently need more and specifically targeted strategies to assist Kimberley families.
“The Government is stepping up and bringing this assistance forward early because it is needed now and investing in services where it is needed.”
The Government will develop education and training resources, including online resources, to help Indigenous health and other workers to respond more effectively to Indigenous people at risk of suicide and to help local communities experiencing grief as a result of suicide.
Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, said the Kimberley Division of General Practice, now the Boab Health Services, had been selected as the initial ATAPS Division for the enhanced services.
“These services will operate in partnership with the local Aboriginal Medical Service, and focus on people who have attempted or who are at risk of suicide, as well as their family and friends,” he said.
“Through these measures, the Government is building on its commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and closing the gap in life expectancy within a generation.”
Media Contacts:
Mr Butler’s office - 02 6277 7280
Mr Snowdon’s office - 02 6277 7820
Senator Pratt’s office - 0417 175 220
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