WGAR News: Aboriginal suicide rates soar: featuring Prof Pat Dudgeon, UWA psychologist: Sally McGlew, Community Newspaper Group

Newsletter date: 8 September 2015

Contents:

* Upcoming Event: World Suicide Prevention Day http://wspd.org.au/ is on Thursday 10 September. It is also RUOK? Day in Australia.

* News Analysis: Sally McGlew, Community Newspaper Group: Aboriginal suicide rates soar [featuring Prof Pat Dudgeon, UWA psychologist, Uni of Western Australia]

* News Analysis: Sally McGlew, Community Newspaper Group: Elder's call to arms in bush [featuring Tjalaminu 'TJ' Mia, calling for action on youth suicide]

* Background

WGAR News: Calls for greater action to prevent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide: University News, University of Western Australia Media Statement
WGAR Background to Suicide and Self-harm in First Nations Communities

* Crisis Support - Talk to Someone - 24-hours/day 7-days/week:
Lifeline - Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/Get-Help/
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/
Beyond Blue - Talk it through with us: 1300 22 4636 http://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support

WGAR News postings on Indymedia Australia: https://indymedia.org.au/newswire
WGAR News Public Google Group: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en-GB#!forum/wgar-news
WGAR News - Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

- Upcoming Event

World Suicide Prevention Day http://wspd.org.au/ is on Thursday 10 September.
It is also RUOK? Day in Australia.

- News Analysis

Community Newspaper Group: Aboriginal suicide rates soar
[featuring Prof Pat Dudgeon, UWA psychologist, Uni of Western Australia]
http://www.communitynews.com.au/news/Aboriginal-suicide-rates-soar/7675393
8 Sep 15: "ABORIGINAL and Torres Strait Islander people are dying at twice the rate of other Australians from suicide and among younger age groups the rate can be six times higher. In some communities, suicide clusters involving up to 20-plus deaths in a short timeframe take a terrible toll and devastate communities left behind. UWA psychologist Pat Dudgeon said it was time the terrible ‘gap’ was closed once and for all. Professor Dudgeon said cultural identity was relevant for both black and white youth. ... In 2014 WA Health Minister Helen Morton announced $300,000 under the small grants One Life suicide prevention program. ... " Sally McGlew, Midland Reporter

- News Analysis

Community Newspaper Group: Elder's call to arms in bush
[featuring Tjalaminu 'TJ' Mia, calling for action on youth suicide]
http://www.communitynews.com.au/news/Elders-call-to-arms-in-bush/7675394
8 Sep 15: " ... "We need to reduce youth suicide because the suffering is so deep and so profound and it grows and it multiplies in hopelessness," she said. TJ has identified what she calls "soul sickness" within Aboriginal people, especially youth, which has severely affected her people. "We have to break the chains of that and we have to reiterate to these young people that you’ve got a choice, you are of value and you mean something to this world," she said. She has developed a number of programs which are spreading across Australia to heal. "My own personal journey has involved a path of healing for myself which has empowered me by healing others," TJ said. ... " Sally McGlew, Midland Reporter

- Background

WGAR News: Calls for greater action to prevent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide: University News, University of Western Australia Media Statement
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/09/05/wgar-news-calls-for-greater-action-t...

WGAR Background to Suicide and Self-harm in First Nations Communities
https://indymedia.org.au/2014/12/24/wgar-background-to-suicide-and-self-...
(last updated: 5 September 2015)

- Crisis Support - Talk to Someone - 24-hours/day 7-days/week:

Emergency:
For immediate assistance when life may be in danger
Call 000
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/emergency

Lifeline's 24/7 hotline
13 11 14
Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention services
https://www.lifeline.org.au/Get-Help/

Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
Twenty-four hours a day seven days a week
The Suicide Call Back Service provides free nationwide professional telephone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide.
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/

Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
Depression. Anxiety.
Talk it through with us, day or night
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support

Useful national contact numbers - Suicide Prevention Crisis Contacts
http://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Suicide_Pr...

Mens Line
1300 78 99 78
MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men
http://www.mensline.org.au/

Kids Help Line
1800 55 1800
aged 5 - 25 yrs
http://www.kidshelp.com.au/

- - -

WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

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'WGAR News' monitors the media, including alternative media, focusing on:

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