Page 61 - JCBP-3-1

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Addressing Indigenous youth suicides in Victoria

among young populations because their access is and drug consumption, the number of presentations to
unregulated. A study conducted with Aboriginal women emergency care facilities in each period, and data related
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revealed that hopelessness, depression, and despair can to incidences of self-harm and suicide. The ratio of per
result in alcohol abuse and suicide. 23 capita substance consumption and healthcare access can
A person struggling with substance abuse is 10 times provide awareness of the community’s trust in the system.
more likely to commit suicide than the general population. Follow-up consumer and carer surveys conducted after
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A meta-analysis pertaining to youth populations disclosed the completion of each home-based drug rehabilitation
that substance abuse significantly increased suicide program can serve as excellent indicators of the effectiveness
risk. Substance abuse often causes impulsivity, reduces of newer strategies. Measures of specific outcomes such as
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inhibition, or triggers ongoing stressors. Thus, people the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales represent effective
struggling with substance abuse feel incapable of coping assessment tools for such rehabilitation programs. 33
with their circumstances; in general, alcohol abuse can The benefits of culturally safe community-based
increase suicide risk by 65%. 26,27 programs include wider accessibility, trustworthiness,
fewer restrictions, community acceptability, and family-
5. Recommendations to help reduce focused and evidence-informed care provided in less
suicides among Aboriginal youth in Victoria intense environments. However, such programs can be

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resource intensive, require experienced and confident
Peoples’ Drug Strategy 2014 – 2019 was developed to clinicians, be challenging to implement in remote settings
guide governments, communities, service providers, and and require robust risk mitigation processes in cases of
individuals to identify key issues and prioritize action worsening health.
areas. This policy document acknowledges the need to A compelling need exists for widely available and
implement culturally safe, evidence-based procedures to accessible screening tools to assess and manage healthcare
lessen damage from drug- and alcohol-related difficulties. and rehabilitation programs. Targeting subpopulations
The perspective is focused on reducing demand, supply, mandates experienced, youth-friendly clinicians who are
and harm through procedures that reflect the ownership of confident about providing evidence-informed treatment.
the Aboriginal community. Thus, approaches to mitigate The treatment approach should be culturally safe and should
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such damages must consider the biological, psychological, be developed after consultation with young people with
social, cultural, and spiritual determinants of substance lived experience. Appropriate referral pathways should be
abuse. 29 stipulated if the young person receiving treatment requires
Considerable stigma is attached to Aboriginal more intensive hospital-based care, which would boost the
communities accessing healthcare, which is implemented confidence of ground workers as well as family members.
using Western concepts and principles. Perceived Young care receivers often value confidentiality regarding
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discrimination and absence of trust in culturally unsafe their treatments; thus, clinicians should be trained in the
hospital environments often create a vicious cycle. Thus, nuances concerning individual and family rights.
Aboriginal youth do not seek appropriate care because
they fear stigmatization. Culturally safe community and 6. Identifying stakeholders to improve
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school-based education programs must be instituted to mental well-being
improve resilience in Aboriginal communities. Care- Indigenous suicide prevention stakeholders should be able
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related policies and activities should be developed after to inform, support, or contribute to the implementation of
consultation with Aboriginal leaders and persons with integrated approaches to suicide prevention in community
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lived experience. Currently, strategies focus primarily on settings. At least one stakeholder should participate from
hospital-based treatment. A home-based design should each of the various groups such as community governance
be optimized, which will require funding and workforce bodies, elders, health professionals, educational services,
development. 29 and recognized local leaders. The stakeholder composition
Evaluation strategies should measure the impact, can vary depending on the regional or metropolitan status
acceptability, and appropriateness of programs designed to of communities. The availability of the workforce and
reduce suicides among Aboriginal youth. Such evaluations services can also influence the participation of different
may be accomplished through community surveys or stakeholders. Stakeholders function essentially in systems-
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focused group discussions between healthcare workers based suicide prevention programs adopting structured
in specific communities. The impact of programs can be governance and community-centered approaches. For
measured through outcomes such as per capita alcohol example, the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Trial Advisory

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 55 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.4217