Working with Aboriginal communities in NSW
Aboriginal culture is one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world. Aboriginal people have developed and continue to display great resilience through interdependent relationships between kin, communities, connection to country, sea and spirit and the cyclical belief of life-death-life. Since colonisation, Aboriginal people and communities have experienced challenging events such as hardships and grief through loss of country, children and identity. Trauma from these losses can be passed down from one generation to the next. Trauma can also result from new experiences of racism and discrimination at work, school, or in the general community. Trauma, isolation and discrimination can leave some people and communities vulnerable to higher rates, and increased risk, of suicide.
Conversations Matter is a resource for people working with Aboriginal communities and provides tools to talk about suicide in safe and supportive ways. It includes a range of information depending on the type of conversation.
The resource has been developed by a team of people including representatives from the Awabakal, Wonnarua, Gomeroi and Biripi Nations, Aboriginal health and community workers, Wiyiliin ta Aboriginal Child and Young Persons Counselling Service HNELHD, the Healing Foundation, the National Torres Strait Islander Health Workers Association, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council NSW, Nikita Ridgeway of Boss Lady Creative Design Agency, Mental Health Commission of NSW and Everymind.
