Suicide prevention: exploring Aboriginal understandings of suicides from a social and emotional wellbeing framework

The purpose of this research (PhD) was to explore Aboriginal understandings of suicide from a Social and Emotional Wellbeing (holistic) Framework through the establishment of traditional yarning style approaches to interviews and focus groups. Culturally this framework fits well with an Indigenous holistic view of health, connection to land, culture, spirituality, family, and community. These are important to Aboriginal people and can impact on their wellbeing. This research was undertaken in consultation with up to 55 Aboriginal residents across Toowoomba Darling Downs and South West regions of Queensland classified as rural, remote, semi-urban and urban Aboriginal communities. There is a need for additional research into understandings and definitions of suicidal behaviour for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities (Suicide Prevention Australia, 2009a; 2014b). The loss of a life from suicide impacts considerably on the family and the wider community, which in turn disrupts social and emotional wellbeing - mental health (De Leo et al., 2011) of Aboriginal people. As the social and emotional well-being (SEWB) and mental health problems are not completely recognised or understood from an Aboriginal perspective within the broader health care system. It is evident that suicides among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are much more frequent in comparison to other Queenslanders, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders suicide rates are 50 percent higher (Kõlves, Potts & De Leo, 2015). Not only are these high rates characteristic of the interplay of both risk and protective factors but broader social, economic and historic factors affecting social and emotional wellbeing and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are also important. Evidence suggests improving social and emotional wellbeing of people results in a reduction in suicides for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Queensland Mental Health Commission, 2015). This research set out to attain a comprehensive understanding of suicides from an Aboriginal perspective. This incorporated undertaking a historical and contemporary analysis of the literature on suicide across the broader population – internationally and nationally to determine when suicides primarily occurred in Australian Aboriginal populations. In addition further historical understanding of suicides in each Aboriginal community was also important in appreciating the historical and cultural context of communities where Aboriginal people currently resided. Aboriginal participants including females and males, young people (18 years and over), middle-aged people and elders residing within each of the communities participated in pre-arranged face to face semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Thematic analysis of the data achieved a number of themes (Italics) and subthemes: Suicide, Community – underlying issues and substance misuse, Young people – relationships and help-seeking, mental health – services and awareness and Culture – cultural perspectives, social, lifestyle and leadership. In conclusion suicide in Aboriginal communities is on the rise accompanied by intergenerational trauma, substance misuse, poverty, disempowerment, disengagement and disadvantage within the larger social and health context. Historically suicide and self-harm did not appear to exist prior to the 1960s; and there is a difference in understandings and shifts in attitudes towards suicides today. The negative effects from emotional distress, violence, self-harm, substance abuse, anti-social behaviour, behavioural and disciplinary problems are all compounded by the ongoing experiences of social and economic disadvantages further impacting on the risk of social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people and their communities

Retention of Indigenous pre-service teachers enrolled in an Australian regional university

Retention of Indigenous pre-service teachers is critical to increasing the number of Indigenous teachers in Australian schools. The aim of this research was to identify factors impacting on retention within one regional university in Queensland. Using a narrative inquiry research design, interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of Aboriginal students (n ¼ 14) over a two year period. Issues and themes impacting on decisions to exit prior to completion were identified that are being used to enhance op-erations within the university as well as broader systemic issues which contribute to higher education evidence and understanding for policy discussion and development

Embedding Authentic First Nations Content within Biomedical Science Curriculum

The importance of incorporating First Nations content into curriculum has been widely recognised with significant progress in developing curricula and graduate attributes in several disciplines (Australian Government Department of Health, 2021; Page, et al., 2019), however substantial work remains, particularly in the sciences. A recent review of our Biochemistry of Nutrition curriculum identified an opportunity to incorporate authentic First Nations food and health content. Through collaboration with the University of Southern Queensland’s Elder in Residence, a new module was developed. The module, built around a traditional yarning circle experience, shared First Nations knowledge of culture, nutrition, and medicine. This was supported by lectorials and other content, including the importance of Indigenous research governance. As we also recognised the need to introduce First Nations content vertically across the curriculum, we further collaborated with a First Nations health expert to integrate and deliver topics such as historical policies, health perspectives, and cultural safety into our first-year foundational Biomedical Science course. Student feedback on these enhancements has been positive and the yarning circle approach to learning attracted substantial media attention. By forming collaborations with local First Nations leaders, we have developed authentic First Nations content that has strengthened student knowledge and graduate preparation for work in the health and research fields

Racism, discrimination and health services to aboriginal people in South West Queensland

Social justice from an Aboriginal perspective is about treating everyone affordably with the same rights, access and opportunities, showing respect and embracing all cultures within the community. It is essential that services and organisations create an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and practices to be acknowledged and embedded into planning and delivery of effective and efficient services. This would enable a more client-friendly and culturally appropriate service that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people could access. Research indicates that Aboriginal people who have access to services that are culturally sensitive, close to where they live, staffed by Aboriginal health professionals, non-racist, where people are acknowledged as true owners of their land and culture, and where beliefs and traditions are respected and accepted would have healthier communities. In light of the above, research was undertaken to explore and identify the different types of health and counselling services in a rural and remote community in South West Queensland. The methodology used for this research integrated both a quantitative and qualitative approach, researching the services that existed through focus groups. There were a total of twenty-seven (27) participants recruited for the research. From the data collected and analysed the themes identified were: racism and discrimination, beliefs, attitudes and misconceptions, leadership, and culture. For the purpose of this paper racism and discrimination will be discussed in relation to health service provision

In the event of a crisis: what services are accessed and available to the Aboriginal community of Dalby who have been affected by suicide and/or self-harm?

[Abstract]: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face a number of difficulties when accessing any type of service and these difficulties are more prominent when living in communities that are located in rural, remote and isolated areas. The difficulties that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are confronted with are not new to any person who has an understanding of the history and struggles nevertheless the difficulties still remain to be the same. However government policies both past and present don‘t appear to have made any significant impact upon how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people access services or improving the overall health of this population. It is apparent after reviewing the literature that there is limited research done at a local level with an emphasis on Aboriginal populations and access to services. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to explore and identify the different types of health and counselling services available in the community of Dalby and to identify if the local Aboriginal people use these services when in crisis or need. The methodology used for this research is both quantitative and qualitative focus which incorporated researching what types of services existed including the establishment of four (4) focus groups within the community for the purposes of interviewing local Aboriginal people. There were a total of twenty three (23) Aboriginal people who participated in the focus groups. From the data collected and analysed the recurring themes identified were: 1. racism and discrimination, 2. beliefs, attitudes and misconceptions, 3. leadership, 4. culture and four (4) subthemes 1. Institutional racism, 2. Social justice, 3. Cultural safety, 4. Cultural awareness. Findings from the research indicate that Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to access mainstream services in the event of a crisis as well as Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander services accessing mainstream services. Hence it is very important that services create an opportunity for Aboriginal culture and practices to be acknowledged and imbedded into the planning and delivery of effective and efficient services to enable a more client-friendly and culturally appropriate service that Aboriginal people can access. Access to health services, the ability to act on health advice, and the capacity to modify health risk factors are all influenced by the circumstances in which people live and work

Building bridges: learning from the experts: building bridges to implement successful life promotion and suicide prevention expertise across Aboriginal communities

The Building Bridges: Learning from the Experts report describes the implementation and findings of a community based suicide prevention initiative. The project aimed to use the experience and knowledge of the Yarrabah community as a model for other Indigenous communities for the establishment of effective and sustainable community-based approaches to building resilience, reducing suicide risk exposure and reducing self-harm. Several empowerment strategies had been developed in Yarrabah following a cluster of suicides in the 1990s (the Yaba Bimbie Men's Group, the Family Well Being Empowerment program and the Life Promotion Officer). Under the Building Bridges Project these strategies were employed within the communities of Hope Vale, Kowanyama and Dalby. Sharing of knowledge through formal events and informal communication provided a means by which the knowledge, skills and experience of each community was strengthened. In order to enhance the understanding that informed these actions, an accompanying series of in depth interviews were undertaken which canvassed community members' perspectives and views about suicide. An Innovative IT/multimedia program, which was also grounded in community empowerment processes, complemented and provided a record of community experience which helped to inform community understandings of suicide and recovery. In addition to documenting the implementation of this project, it also discusses the various challenges encountered which have valuable implications for future Indigenous community based suicide prevention programs that use an empowerment approach

I want to be a teacher : a comparison of male and female teacher candidates' views on role models, fears of professional misconduct, and safeguards

This thesis / dissertation was completed and submitted at Nipissing University, and is made freely accessible through the University of Toronto’s TSpace repositoryThis study explore the influence of role models on teacher candidates as they enter the teaching profession and their perspectives on the threat of professional misconduct (physical, psychological, and sexual); furthermore, safeguards that male and female teacher candidates plan to employ to protect themselves from false accusations are examined. Teacher candidates (872) enrolled in the concurrent and consecutive Bachelor of Education programs at a northern Ontario university were surveyed. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 7 participants (4 females and 3 males). Becoming a role model was the number 1 reason for males entering the profession, while for female teacher candidates, experience working with children was the main rationale. As role models, both male and female teacher candidates expressed fears of false accusations and concern regarding how their actions may be perceived. The majority of respondents indicated that they needed to be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to protect themselves. Both male and female interview participants indicated that they would construct safeguards, including keeping doors open and not being alone with students. In addition, male interview participants indicated an avoidance of physical contact, while female interview participants stated vigilance and overall awareness of surroundings.M.Ed

Researching with us, our way

This chapter provides a brief overview of research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It offers an understanding of the role that nurses can play in undertaking research with indigenous peoples in health care settings