Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Led Wellness, Healing and Suicide Prevention Program
We are seeking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and consortiums to express their interest in leading community-driven programs to promote wellness, healing and suicide prevention across the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas.
Background
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience higher rates of chronic illness, hospitalisation, lower life expectancy and poorer mental health and wellbeing than their non-Indigenous counterparts. We acknowledge that poor health and wellbeing, suicide and suicidal behaviour, as well as overall wellbeing is an issue for both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in our region.
We recognise that culture is central to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ social and emotional wellbeing, and a protective factor for suicide prevention. Important factors include connections to country, mind and emotions, body, culture, community, family and kinship, spirituality and ancestors, and we recognise that a holistic, community-driven approach to wellness, healing and suicide prevention programs is required.
This opportunity provides funding for programs that are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community designed and driven to reduce suicide in the community. Programs will build on health, wellbeing and healing, as well as resilience in individuals, families and communities.
Activities should promote self-determination, community governance, reconnection to community life and a whole of community resilience to suicide, and provide pathways to recovery from loss, grief and disconnection. The program can be offered in partnership with community Elders and people with lived experience.
The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre (Black Dog Institute) co-designed a definition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with lived experience:
A lived experience recognises the effects of ongoing negative historical impacts and or specific events on the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It encompasses the cultural, spiritual, physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of the individual, family or community.
People with lived or living experience of suicide are those who have experienced suicidal thoughts, survived a suicide attempt, cared for someone through a suicidal crisis, been bereaved by suicide or having a loved one who has died by suicide, acknowledging that this experience is significantly different and takes into consideration Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples ways of understanding social and emotional wellbeing.
What's Involved?
We believe a collaborative approach will enable the development of the best methods for successful outcomes, ensuring solutions are tailored to the unique needs of each community.
Once applications to the EOI are received, we will contact organisations to arrange a yarn with mob and discuss the proposed program collaboratively.
Selected organisations will then proceed to the formal application process, which includes two parts:
- A written submission addressing specific questions.
- An oral presentation on Darug Country to showcase the proposed program.
To support the process, we will provide a coaching workshop to assist with preparation for the oral presentation. Participation in the workshop is voluntary.
Funding
Approximately $100,000 (GST exclusive) is available to support activities for this project. Organisations can apply for the full amount or smaller amounts based on the scope of the activity. For more details, refer to the EOI Application Information Guide.
How to Apply
To submit your organisation's expression of interest, complete the application form by Friday 7 February 2025. If you have any questions, email our Suicide Prevention Team.
