Best Practice Programs & Services

Best Practice Programs & Services

The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) is an important initiative to identify what programs and services are most effective in helping reduce the high rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide. It aims to promote a range of promising and best practice programs and services in order to support communities to further develop their own suicide prevention initiatives.

Programs, services, training programs and resources that are found to be culturally appropriate and effective will be highlighted in the Clearing House.

The participation and engagement of Indigenous communities and respect for cultural values and the rights of Indigenous people is foundational to the lens applied in highlighting best practice within the Clearing House.

• Central consideration given to participation of Indigenous people in the research – research in Aboriginal communities must be culturally secure and community-owned or driven.
• Best practice approaches to suicide prevention in Indigenous communities are multi-level, premised on the social, emotional and spiritual underpinnings of community wellbeing, culturally secure and community-owned or driven.

The programs and services described in this section have provided evidence to show how they align with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander principles and indicators for best practice listed below.

Principles:

1.    a.     Establishing a cultural and community focus

b.    Strengthening Indigenous governance

c.    Demonstrating  cultural respect

2.    NHMRC Ethical Guidelines were considered in developing the program or service.

Indicators:

3.    Community/cultural governance.

4.    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were involved in the development and implementation of the program or service.

5.    The organisation of the program or service is involved with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community groups as shown by:

a.    Process being community-led and directed

b.    Formal partnerships

c.     Other types of collaboration

6.     An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community reference group was established for the program or service:

a.    The group included key stakeholders or members of the target group (eg. youth, elders, consumers, carers, LGBTIQ) and meetings were held regularly.

7.     The social and historical context where people are living has been taken into account.

8.     The program is specific to local groups by considering gender and location where delivered.

9.     The program has relationships/integrates with similar programs, services and other stakeholders.

10.    The program or service is working with the local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

11.     There is evidence that community capacity building took place.

12.    Ongoing activity is in place to ensure a continuous quality improvement process.

13.    There is follow-up for participants after completion of the program or service.

14.    Community feedback processes are built into the program or service.

15.    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff/workers are involved in program or service development and implementation.

16.    Non-Aboriginal staff/workers have undertaken cultural competence and safety training.

Programs and services which have been assessed as best practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention are listed in one of the six categories below. Programs that fit in several categories are listed in each relevant category. Programs and services initially assessed as promising practice in the ATSISPEP project report, Solutions that Work have since been reviewed and updated by the CBPATSISP team. In addition, new programs are also being assessed in accord with the principles and indicators above.

If you would like to share your program or service on the CBPATSISP Clearinghouse website please click here for further information. The six categories are as follows: