Suicide Story…Our Way
The Suicide Story Aboriginal Advisory Group (SSAAG) was set up in 2011 and is passionate about safeguarding best cultural practice in adapting to community need and protocol, with the utmost cultural integrity.
‘Our Way’ draws from our Aboriginal knowledge systems, values and behaviours to assist our mob (health workers, social workers, youth workers etc) to develop the necessary life skills to assist those who are suffering and/or grieving, and to support individuals, families and safer communities.
The Suicide Story workshops are free to anyone and provide a trauma-informed space to assist mutual support in preventing suicide, to give personal empowerment, to promote self-awareness and to build strength.
We encourage cultural safety in the workshops by allowing elders to share their lived experience and knowledge, while being mindful of young people and their opinions, to find common ground and equal opportunity for all in the group.
The program is a three-day workshop based on eight stories led by Aboriginal facilitators, grounded in the practice of ‘both-ways’ learning and comprised of storytelling, group work, short films, and animation.
Suicide Story creates a safe space for Aboriginal people to share knowledge and learning about culturally appropriate ways to address suicide awareness and create more resilient, suicide-safe communities.
The aims of the workshop are to:
- Bring greater awareness to the signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
- Build on existing knowledge and awareness that participants have about suicide.
- Define suicide in local/cultural terms and reduce the impact of stigma.
- Strengthen understanding of grief, trauma, and the needs of people who may be contemplating suicide.
- Build confidence to act and intervene as required through empowerment, self-awareness, and strength.
