title: Suicide prevention in Australian Aboriginal communities: a review of past and present programs.
abstract: A review of Aboriginal suicide prevention programs were conducted to highlight promising projects and strategies. A content analysis of gray literature was conducted to identify interventions reported to have an impact in reducing suicidal rates and behaviors. Most programs targeted the whole community and were delivered through workshops, cultural activities, or creative outlets. Curriculums included suicide risk and protective factors, warning signs, and mental health. Many programs were poorly documented and evaluations did not include suicidal outcomes. Most evaluations considered process variables. Results from available outcome evaluations suggest that employing a whole of community approach and focusing on connectedness, belongingness and cultural heritage may be of benefit. Despite the challenges, there is a clear need to evaluate outcomes if prevention is to be progressed.
authors.affiliation: Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ridani
authors.forename: Fiona L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Shand
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tighe
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous; D006801:Humans; D000092864:Suicide Prevention