First Nations grassroots organisations across Australia are implementing truly impressive, culturally safe trauma informed suicide prevention initiatives that are actively working to prevent suicides within communities. We acknowledge that our communities know what works best for them in addressing/preventing suicide. We have witnessed and highlighted this important work at our previous conferences in 2023 and 2022.
The 2024 Indigenous Suicide Prevention Forum provides a platform for everyone who works within this challenging but essential sector to share their initiatives, tell their stories, ask questions of each other and form partnerships.
The Australian Indigenous Psychologists’ Association looks forward to welcoming you in Naarm.
Vanessa Edwige
Chair, AIPA
Bronze Partner
2024 Forum Committee Members
Vanessa Edwige
Chair
AIPA
Kim Mullholand Cultural and Spiritual Wellbeing, Practitioner/Advisor, Founder
IvolveGen
Prof. Gracelyn Smallwood
Adjunct Professor
James Cook University, University of Queensland (Forum Elder)
Kelleigh Ryan
Co-Founder
The Seedling Group
Prof. Pat Dudgeon Professor of
Indigenous Studies and Project Director
CBPATSISP and University of Western Australia
Leda Barnett Research Fellow,
The Hopkins Centre Griffith University
Thara Brown
General Manager (Programs)
Culture is Life
Belinda Duarte
Chief Executive Officer
Culture is Life
Tahnee McBean Clinical Lead of Family Counselling Services
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
Featured Speakers
Professor Pat Dudgeon
Professor of Indigenous Studies and Project Director
Centre for Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention, University of Western Australia
Rachel Fishlock
Chief Executive Officer
Gayaa Dhuwi
Dr. Mark Standing Eagle Baez
Assistant Professor of Counseling and Clinical Psychology
Bemidji State University & the President-elect for the Society of Indian Psychologists
Donna Stanley
Executive Manager Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing
Western NSW Primary Health Network
Marjorie Anderson
National Manager
13Yarn
Joe Williams
Chief Executive Officer
The Enemy Within - Suicide Prevention and Mental Health & Wellbeing Education
On-Country Healing Day
7 March
Healing through Connection to Land, Water, and Sky
Connection to Country is an integral aspect of mental, spiritual and physical wellness for many First Nations people. Land, water, and sky are the mouthpieces through which community can connect with ancestors and culture. Facilitating opportunities to connect to Country are an important aspect of many grassroots suicide prevention programs, and it is similarly important for suicide prevention workers to take the time to draw strength from country.
That is why this year, the Suicide Prevention Forum will be taking its workshop day onto country, allowing attendees to learn the history and culture of this special corner of Australia, in a location that will soothe the eyes and heal the soul.
Furthermore, you will learn how you can transfer the healing that you will experience into your own communities and suicide prevention programs. This is also a great way to consolidate what you have learned at the two-day forum, and to continue networking with your peers in a more relaxed and intimate setting.
Who Should Attend?
Why Attend?
1
Take inspiration from numerous case studies of culture-based healing programs happening in communities across Australia
2
Increase your capacity to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to heal and build resilience
3
Bridge the gaps between research and practice, and between policy and grassroots action
4
Participate in cultural and healing activities such as trauma-informed yoga, weaving and grounding body work
5
Understand the important role of social determinants such as incarceration rates in suicide rates in First Nations communities
6
Engage in conversations and solutions to build the capacity and reach of suicide prevention efforts in remote Australia
“What an important event, thank you for creating a safe space to talk about such important issues facing our community.”
Indigenous Healing Practitioner, First Nations Healing
Venue
Pullman Melbourne Albert Park
Address: 65 Queens Rd, Albert Park VIC 3004
Meeting Room: Grand Ballroom
Parking: Located beneath the hotel and accessible via Lorne Street, the car park has 400 parking bays. The rate is $40.00 per exit / or per 24 hours whichever occurs first.