The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation’s (VACCHO) Balit Durn Durn Centre are deeply saddened by the findings in the latest report published by the Coroners Court of Victoria.
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised this content includes information associated with deceased persons from events that have occurred in Victoria. Readers are warned that there are words and descriptions that may be culturally distressing.
The Balit Durn Durn Centre passes on our deepest and most sincere condolences to families and Communities who are dealing with the devastating grief and loss of loved ones.
The report released by the Yirramboi Murrup Unit at the Coroners Court of Victoria – Suicides of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria, 2020-2024 – shows a worrying upward trend, with 27 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people passing by suicide in 2024 in Victoria – an alarming increase of 42 per cent from 2022.
We acknowledge the valuable work that the Yirramboi Murrup Unit at the Coroners Court of Victoria does in bringing this crisis to light through this recent report, which highlights this deepening crisis even with the recent support provided at a state and federal level to develop community-led responses to suicide prevention.
We also acknowledge our Knowledge Holders in this space. With the support of the Balit Durn Durn Centre, key initiatives that Knowledge Holders have identified as being critical in our work toward zero passings from suicide include:
• The delivery of Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid training funded through the Cultural Care Connect program.
• A digital online service and resource directory to enhance service navigation and access to culturally safe services and resources.
• Awareness raising education campaign to reduce the stigma linked to suicide.
• Targeted tools and resources in response to community priorities and needs.
However, VACCHO knows we are trying to stem an artery wound with a band aid and has been advocating for a system that is adequately and sustainably resourced and funded to provide the wrap around care required to prevent such devasting tragedies from occurring.
The programs that already exist need to be scaled up and reassured that they will be ongoing, in addition to investment in new programs to further address this crisis.
Of particular concern was that this report showed the annual rate of suicides for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remains three times higher than non-Aboriginal people in Victoria. It also highlighted that some 56.6 per cent of Indigenous people who died by suicide from 2020-2024 were under 35 years of age.
Quotes to be attributed to Executive Director of VACCHO’s Balit Durn Durn Centre, Sheree Lowe.
“This report provides a sombre reminder that our people, families and Communities are in crisis due to the impacts of inter-generational trauma, racism, discrimination and inequity. While the data speaks to lives lost, we do know there are still many who are dealing with high to very high levels of psychological distress.”
“Each and every life that we lose to suicide has devastating effects across families and Communities as a whole, and it’s deeply concerning to read the distressing findings of the latest report.”
“For far too long now, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria have fallen through the cracks of a fragmented and culturally unsafe mental health system, and now we are losing our future leaders”.
“The Balit Durn Durn Centre will continue to provide Aboriginal leadership, empowerment and collaboration to help strengthen mental health and the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service system to embed social and emotional wellbeing approaches.”
NOTE: Your social and emotional safety is important. If this has brought up any concerns or issues for you, further support can be found through any of the following resources:
- Open Place
- 13YARNor call 13 92 76
- eheadspace
- WellMob
- QLife or call 1800 184 527
