GED FARMER Project Officer, Suicide Prevention, Brisbane North Primary Health Network
Culture proves crucial to suicide prevention trial A desire to infuse culture at every level has informed Brisbane North PHN’s approach to the National Suicide Prevention Trial
Brisbane North Primary Health Network (BNPHN) is one of the 12 National Suicide Prevention Trial
providers we commissioned through the trial. One of the fundamental differences under this
sites. For our three priority population groups, we
new approach was the cultural guidance we sought
have identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
from the very start, which has ensured that all
communities, along with LGBTIQ+ communities
activities are culturally safe and that cultural
and men aged 24–54 years.
knowledge is respected and protected.
Our trial is guided by the Black Dog Institute’s
We have found that cultural infusion has allowed
LifeSpan Model, which combines strategies for
for greater engagement and access to Aboriginal
suicide prevention into one community-led approach
and Torres Strait Islander people in the Brisbane
incorporating health, education, frontline services,
North PHN region. It also aligns with best practice
business and the community.
for suicide prevention.
From the outset, we knew our trial would require a rigorous co-design process. For the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population we would need to engage elders, community members and groups, and local Indigenous service providers. The process we adopted resulted in an approach that was seen as very different to previous ‘ways of doing things’ and this has influenced all the service 12
The Health Advocate • FEBRUARY 2020
Yarns Heal Another difference was the commissioning of services from grassroots community groups, such as the IndigiLez Women’s Leadership and Support Group and the gar’ban’djee’lum network. These two groups have delivered the Yarns Heal campaign, the first of its kind in Australia
