Newsletter date: 22 July 2015
Contents:
* Audio Interview: Natalie Whiting, ABC PM: Language revival could have mental health benefits for Aboriginal communities [featuring Ghil'ad Zuckermann, Professor of endangered languages]
* Audio: Bridget Brennan, ABC AM: Indigenous suicide rates at crisis levels [featuring Adele Cox, a Bunuba & Gija woman, researcher in suicide prevention; Gerry Georgatos, researcher with ATSISPEP]
* News & Survey: NACCHO Aboriginal Health Alert: Suicide prevention information SURVEY and leaders meeting update
* Survey: ATSISPEP: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Information Survey
* 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 Public Google Group: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en-GB#!forum/wgar-news
WGAR News - Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
- Audio Interview
ABC PM: Language revival could have mental health benefits for Aboriginal communities
[featuring Ghil'ad Zuckermann, Professor of endangered languages at the University of Adelaide, with Natalie Whiting]
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2015/s4278032.htm
21 Jul 15: "Mark Colvin: A linguistics expert believes reviving dormant languages in Aboriginal communities could lower suicide rates and improve mental health. Research has linked loss of language with self-loathing and higher rates of suicide. But there haven't been any studies into the reverse: the mental health benefits of reclaiming language and culture. Professor Ghil'ad Zuckermann told Natalie Whiting that he planned to use the revival of a South Australian Aboriginal dialect as the first test. ... "
- News
University of Adelaide: Language revival must consider social and mental health issues
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news79582.html
21 Jul 15: "A University of Adelaide linguistics expert says the revival of an Aboriginal language in South Australia could serve as the first "test case" for the potential mental health benefits of reclaiming "sleeping beauty" languages. Professor Ghil’ad Zuckermann, Australia’s only Chair of Endangered Languages, says activities to resurrect the Barngarla Aboriginal language - with the Barngarla communities of Eyre Peninsula - offer hope in the quest to better understand the significant relationship between linguistic continuity, and social and personal wellbeing. ... "But so far there has been no systematic quantitative study of the impact of language revival (rather than loss) on wellbeing, mental health and suicide ideation. ... ""
- Audio
Bridget Brennan, ABC AM: Indigenous suicide rates at crisis levels
[featuring Adele Cox, a Bunuba & Gija woman, researcher in suicide prevention; Gerry Georgatos, researcher with ATSISPEP]
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2015/s4278388.htm
22 Jul 15: "Bridget Brennan: Adele Cox is a Bunuba and Gija woman from the Kimberley in Western Australia. For 15 years, she's been researching suicide prevention in Aboriginal communities. She's worried about what she describes as a growing crisis affecting her people. ... Twenty-five Indigenous leaders and mental health experts are taking their case to Canberra, urging the Government to adopt a national plan to drive down the rates of suicide in their communities. Today they'll speak with Health Minister Sussan Ley, the Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash and the Indigenous Affairs Minister Senator Nigel Scullion. Adele Cox will chair the meeting. She thinks it's long overdue. ... "
- News & Survey
NACCHO Aboriginal Health Alert: Suicide prevention information SURVEY and leaders meeting update
http://nacchocommunique.com/2015/07/22/naccho-aboriginal-health-alert-su...
22 Jul 15: "The focus of the roundtable will be on how we can best reduce the incidence of mental health conditions and suicide, and improve social and emotional wellbeing among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Indigenous health remains this nation’s most confronting health challenge, with mental health issues in need of urgent attention. We want this meeting to develop some clear, positive strategic direction," Senator Scullion speaking on behalf of the three federal government ministers who will sit down with Indigenous leaders and mental health advocates today (Wednesday) to tackle Indigenous mental health, which they say is the nation’s "most confronting health challenge".
- Survey
ATSISPEP: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Information Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X6LJ9SZ
" ... This survey is being conducted for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP) - a national research project at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in partnership with Telethon Kids Institute ... ATSISPEP is developing a strong evidence base on effective programs, services, resources, training and other initiatives directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention across Australia. This survey seeks your feedback, responses, and insights about any experiences you may have had with a range of suicide prevention programs, services, training and resources– either personally or in your professional capacity. ... "
- Background:
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: 21 July 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:
* The Freedom Summit's National Freedom Movement;
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