Developing suitable preventative initiatives required extensive community consultation and stakeholder engagement across the Pilbara region. The Pilbara is a large region spanning 507 896 square Kilometers, with an estimated resident population of 62 241 including, 31 Aboriginal language groups.
Through consultation and facilitated co-design forums, PAHA's Culture Care Connect Coordinator led the development of a Pilbara Network Suicide Prevention Plan in collaboration with the key stakeholders. In partnership with the three Pilbara Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, PAHA also co-designed, developed and will implement an aftercare model of care to support individuals, families and communities impacted by suicidal behavior.
To effectively undertake consultation and co-design in the Pilbara region, given the vastness of location, placed-based cultural nuances and social challenges it was important to consider the need to facilitate the process in multiple locations. This included but is not limited to; Hedland, Karratha/ Roebourne, Newman, Onslow along with smaller communities, and remote Aboriginal Communities. This takes patience and time, to organise, plan and implement.
To understand the community needs and identify: existing gaps in service deliverables, what is working effectively, and what can be improved to increase mental wellbeing and decrease the impact of suicide. The process needed to include local Elders, local community champions, those with lived experience, youth champions, key stakeholders, government and non-government service providers, community groups and be open for all of community to have a voice. This process had to be facilitated with cultural safety and personal safety for participants as a primary focus.
Understanding and acknowledging the pre-existing implemented in the suicide prevention and postvention space, it was paramount to include those agencies already implementing strategies to prevent suicide. This included WA Country Health Service’s Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service’s Community Liaison Officer, and StandBy Pilbara’s Postvention Coordinator. This inclusive collaboration was key to reduce consultation fatigue across the region, prevent duplication of initiatives, ensure that identified gaps are advocated to be filled and form effective partnerships to ensure positive outcomes for the communities of the Pilbara. Our effective partnership supports the reduction in burnout and key role turnover. It was also important to include and consult with relevant existing key stakeholder networks such as the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and the Pilbara mental health, alcohol and other drug, social emotion wellbeing and suicide (MASS) leadership committee.
The result was phenomenal. Collaboration is key.