Published on Monday, 22 June 2020 at 12:48:36 PM
The Murchison-Gascoyne region has the nation’s highest suicide rate, with last year’s statistics revealing that Yamatji people in the area are taking their lives at seven times the national rate. The Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (GRAMS) is committed to addressing the region’s devastating suicide mortality rate and improving the safety and wellbeing of the community.
Western Australia Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) has provided funding to GRAMS to facilitate the development of a Community Safety and Well Being Action Plan for the communities of Geraldton, Mt Magnet and Carnarvon as part of the Midwest Suicide Prevention Trial. GRAMS has engaged the Bank of I.D.E.A.S to support the necessary community engagement processes to ensure optimum contribution to, and ownership by each community in the formulation and implementation of the Plan. Enabling meaningful involvement by all relevant stakeholders, especially local Indigenous residents and their leadership.
The process will begin by engaging with key community stakeholders and initiating a conversation to seek their input. GRAMS will request community members to participate in engagement exercises and workshops to identify areas of opportunity relating to community safety and wellbeing. The development of the Community Safety and Well Being Action Plan will be designed upon the responses of the community with implementation strategies focused on tailored solutions to issues such as suicide prevention.
GRAMS CEO Deborah Woods said the community outreach and involvement aims to discover insights and ideas by drawing on the experiences and leadership of local community members to understand their views and requirements in paving a brighter, and safer, future.
“We are focused on approaching the initiative by involving community members and giving them an opportunity to have their voice heard in identifying what’s important to their wellbeing,” said Ms Woods.
“Suicides can have ripple affects on friends, families and communities, leaving everyone with a crippling sense of loss. The Community Safety and Well Being Action Plan aims for a holistic approach to prevent suicides and improve mental health. Everyone has a role in preventing suicides; together we can save lives.”
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