A report published Monday shines a stark light on youth suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in New South Wales and sets out urgent recommendations for systemic reform.
The Holding Hope Research and Community Reports have been released by the Ngarruwan Ngadju First Peoples Health and Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Wollongong, in partnership with the Cygnet Centre for Peacebuilding and Transformation Ltd, and the Indigenous Education and Research Centre at James Cook University.
The research was commissioned by the NSW Child Death Review Team and tabled in the Parliament of NSW.
The three-year study (2021-2024) investigates the factors that increase or reduce suicide risk for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, documents existing prevention and intervention programs and provides clear recommendations for more effective strategies.
Drawing on in-depth case reviews of 43 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who died by suicide between 2011 and 2020, a comprehensive literature review and the voices of community members across five regional workshops, the report honours the lives lost and the families and communities who carry their memory.
"Not one Aboriginal family has not been touched by suicide," one workshop participant shared.
Systemic barriers include racism, fragmented services and inequities in health, education and housing
Co-author Associate Professor Marlene Longbottom explained the research carries the voices and memories of our young ones who are no longer with us.
"We honour their lives, their families and their communities by ensuring their stories lead to change," she said.
According to Professor Kathleen Clapham, there is an urgent need for governments, services and communities to act.
"The report highlights both the profound challenges and the enduring strengths within Aboriginal communities. It identifies systemic barriers such as racism, fragmented services and inequities in health, education and housing," she said.
"It also points to missed opportunities where timely support could have changed outcomes and warns of the risks of labelling young people as 'disengaged', a framing that can obscure their behaviour as an expression of unmet needs."
Government must move beyond rhetoric to action
Cygnet Centre for Peacebuilding and Transformation CEO and report co-author Christine Thomas said recognising these unmet needs is "essential to ensuring young people receive the lifesaving supports and services they deserve".
"At the same time, the report affirms the protective power of culture, kinship, supportive relationships and community led solutions," she said.
"Government must move beyond rhetoric to action. Our children's lives depend on it, and history will judge us by what we do next."
The Holding Hope report calls for the NSW Government's urgent consideration of its findings and recommendations.
An accompanying Community Report returns the research findings to participating communities in a culturally respectful and accessible way, upholding the principle of reciprocity and knowledge-sharing.
Community workshops this month
A series of community workshops commencing with Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies will take place across NSW between 1-10 December in Nowra, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Redfern and Ballina, with keynotes from Professor Pat Dudgeon and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter.
The gatherings will formally present the reports back to communities, providing space for reflection, dialogue and collective action.
The researcher partners and the NSW Child Death Review Team extend their deep respect to the families and communities who shared their stories and to the young people whose lives are remembered in this work.
"Their voices and experiences guide the recommendations and strengthen the call for urgent systemic change," the partners said in a statement.
