Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women and girls continue to be over-represented in the criminal justice system and experience significant social and emotional wellbeing needs.
The Queensland Mental Health Commission is investing $1.05 million to pilot a comprehensive suicide prevention initiative led by Sisters Inside across South-East Queensland and Townsville supporting young, mainly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander single mothers who have been in contact with the criminal justice system.
The Sisters Connecting program will work alongside young mothers to:
- support them in their parenting and social and emotional wellbeing needs,
- connect young mothers to culturally appropriate services that support their holistic health needs as well as broader familial pro-social activities.
The program largely centres on the value of connection, inclusion and cultural healing approaches underpinned by a strengths-based model of care to enable, enhance and support emotional, psychological, spiritual and cultural wellbeing.
Why is this important?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are the fastest growing prison population, imprisoned at more than 20 times the rate of non-Indigenous women. Incarceration increases the likelihood for greater exposure to violence and trauma, increases suicide risk and reduces access to appropriate health and specialist care and culturally appropriate support services.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately impacted by suicide. We know there are many complex factors that can lead to a person ending their life, however, we also know that suicide can be prevented. Suicide prevention remains a priority across government and the broader community. Every life: The Queensland Suicide Prevention Plan 2019–2029 is a whole-of-government and whole-of-community plan that sets the direction for suicide prevention initiatives across the state.
How does this support reform?
Within Every life, there are several commitments made to support First Nations communities to lead suicide prevention activities, including identifying and investing in community-led suicide prevention solutions that prioritise community connection and respond to people in distress.
Achieving Balance places an emphasis on improving culturally appropriate supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, parents who use alcohol and other drugs, and those in contact with the criminal justice system.
Evaluation
The Commission will procure an external, independent and culturally appropriate evaluation of the project to understand and evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program and build an evidence base for what works best to support the holistic needs of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander single mothers who have been in contact with the criminal justice system to inform future suicide prevention policy and practice.
