Wingaru
  • Teaching Resources
    • Wingaru Bubs
    • Wingaru Kids
    • Teacher PD
    • 3 Focuses Framework
    • Wingaru Home Education
  • NAIDOC 2022
  • Workplace Services
    • Cultural Awareness Training
    • Wingaru Consulting
  • Blog
  • Yarn With Us
  • Login
  • Teaching Resources
    • Wingaru Bubs
    • Wingaru Kids
    • Teacher PD
    • 3 Focuses Framework
    • Wingaru Home Education
  • NAIDOC 2022
  • Workplace Services
    • Cultural Awareness Training
    • Wingaru Consulting
  • Blog
  • Yarn With Us
  • Login

Working Together to Prevent Suicide

12/9/2019

0 Comments

 

The month of September focusses on bringing awareness to suicide prevention with two key events, World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) and R U OK? Day (12 September).

This year both days will focus on suicide being a community issue and the role each of us play in coming together in collaboration to address suicide. Here in Australia suicide rates have increased by 13% over the last decade, and it continues to be the leading cause of death among young Australians. Of our youth dying by suicide, one in every four is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Causes of suicide are complex, even more so for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are nearly three times more likely to be psychologically distressed than their non-Aboriginal peers. Contributing factors to their negative social and emotional wellbeing include racism, social exclusion, intergenerational trauma and separation from culture and identity issues.

As Australians, there is much we can do to work together in addressing these negative factors and to help young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel safe, supported and part of the community. Two significant areas we all have the power to address, either as individuals or communities, are reconciliation and racism.

Reconciliation through Education

The truth about Australia's history since colonisation is difficult and confronting, but it is our shared story and while we are unable to change the pain and anger many experience we at least need to acknowledge it and understand the intergenerational trauma caused. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves and younger generations about this history, building a shared understanding, so that as a nation we can achieve true reconciliation. Only from here can we can begin to reduce the impact of intergenerational trauma on the wellbeing of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

Celebrating and reinforcing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s knowledge across our school curriculum and throughout community life also plays a large role in reconciliation. Providing all Australians with the opportunity to engage in respect and recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living culture and encouraging a sense of cultural identity and pride among Aboriginal children, enhancing their psychological resilience.

Racism. It stops with me

Racism is one of the main factors negatively impacting the social and emotional wellbeing of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and appallingly, racism, both perceived and actually experienced, is increasing in Australia.

Stopping racism requires commitment and participation by everyone. We need to raise awareness of the issue and challenge our own behaviours and expressions of racial discrimination, particularly subtle racism. We also need to help kids identify racism and provide techniques for stopping it.

Within the workplace, cultural awareness training is required to ensure an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. By learning about the importance of family and community, cultural sensitivities, the impact of the Stolen Generations and the role of intergenerational grief and trauma, organisations improve workplace culture and are able to better service Aboriginal clients and students. For teachers, cultural awareness training gives them the confidence to bring more Aboriginal perspectives into the classroom, increasing the number of kids who get to learn and celebrate Aboriginal perspectives, reducing racism.

To learn more about how we can help you with including Aboriginal perspectives in your classroom or to book cultural awareness training email us at info@wingaru.com.au
Working Together to Prevent Suicide
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    May 2017

    Categories

    All
    Free Resources
    Social Issues
    Teaching
    Workplace

    RSS Feed

Acknowledgment

Wingaru Education acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, to the Elders past, present, and emerging.
Wingaru Education
  • ​Our Story
  • FAQ
  • Yarn With Us
  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy
Resources + Services
  • Wingaru Bubs
  • Wingaru Kids
  • Wingaru Teach
  • Wingaru Butabuta
  • Wingaru Consulting
supply nation logo
wingaru fbwingaru fb wingaru instagramwingaru instagram wingaru pinterestwingaru pinterest wingaru emailwingaru email
wingaru fbwingaru fb wingaru instagramwingaru instagram
wingaru pinterestwingaru pinterest wingaru emailwingaru email

Acknowledgment

Wingaru Education acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, to the Elders past, present, and emerging.

Copyright 2020 Wingaru Education