黑料吃瓜群网

Breaking cultural barriers and getting people help is the aim of a new Indigenous-led program tackling suicide in Queensland鈥檚 rural and remote communities.

Commencing in July, researchers from The University of Queensland have consulted extensively with Indigenous communities to develop relevant and sustainable training programs for 鈥榞atekeepers鈥�.

UQ Rural Clinical School鈥檚 Director of Indigenous Health and project leader Dr Maree Toombs said culturally tailored Indigenous gatekeeper training is needed to address the increasing rates of suicide among Indigenous people living in rural and remote areas.

鈥淔or frontline intervention to be effective, our gatekeepers need to be able to identify suicide risks and start early intervention strategies,鈥� Dr Toombs said.

鈥淭hese are often remote communities so they have to be self-sufficient, and programs with high levels of community involvement are the most effective.

鈥淯sing the local language or jargon can go a long way towards breaking down some of the barriers which prevent people from getting help.鈥�

The project鈥檚 community consultation phase involved more than 90 individuals from 28 community organisations in Southern Queensland.

鈥淲e found that existing suicide prevention programs were time-intensive, included content that was not relevant to Indigenous people and were not sustainable,鈥� Dr Toombs said.

鈥淲e heard that many people were unaware of the services that were available, meaning they did not know where to turn for help.

鈥淕aps in services meant police were often called when matters came to a head, adding to the trauma and meaning suicidal people were less likely to be open to assistance.鈥�

Dr Toombs said that because becoming a gatekeeper could be confronting, it was important they receive practical training with examples relevant to their communities.

鈥淕atekeepers will also be connected with peer support and responders through training networks and a mobile phone application that is currently being developed,鈥� Dr Toombs said.

The first session will be delivered by eight Indigenous trainers in Toowoomba next month, training prospective gatekeepers from south-east and south-west Queensland and the Darling Downs.

Image credit: 漏stock.adobe.com/au/lifeofriley

Originally published