Recently, Lifeline Australia met with the NT government and key stakeholders to announce its new and innovative approach in dealing with the high rate of suicides among First Nations peoples in the Top End.
The rate of suicides among aboriginal and Torres Strait island people is more than double that of Non aboriginal people in this country. In the Northern Territory that rate is almost three times the national level.
Lifeline Australia is at the forefront of the fight to reverse these alarming rates. Lifeline is is also instrumental in running the suicide prevention hotline: 131114.
Adam Check, Lifeline Chief Engagement Officer, confirmed that his organisation has suspended its operations in the top-end. He explained that the Northern Territory branch was independently ran and had struggled to attract volunteers in recent times.
Adam Check reassured that the closure of Lifelines NT operation will not affect the suicide prevention hotline 131114. On the contrary, that hotline will be maintained and, actually, enhanced.
He Adam Check emphasized that the new approach ushered in by Lifeline Australia gives a greater role to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the fight to reduce suicide rates in their respective communities.
He says that the new strategy involves promoting genuine collaboration, leadership and ownership.