Content warning: the following contains references to First Nations suicide which may be distressing for some.

According to the World Health Organisation over 700 000 lose their life to suicide annually, with rates ranging from less than one to 44 per 100,000 in the population. However, these are often disproportionately higher among subgroups or vulnerable communities, such as Indigenous peoples. Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare echo this disparity, with suicide deaths almost 2.5 higher for First Nations people compared with non-Indigenous Australias.

In July the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference brought together Indigenous communities from across the globe to share cultural-based approaches to awareness, healing and suicide prevention.

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Image: Image: Wikimedia-Commons-DrRandomFactor

Produced By: Emma Wotzke, and Eduardo Jordan

Featured In Story: Elder Tjalaminu Mia (Aunty TJ) – University of Western Australia staff member, Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention, , and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 5 September 2024