Manual of Resources for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention

National Agreement on Closing the Gap​

In July 2020 the National Agreement on Closing the Gap was signed by Australian governments and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (the Coalition of Peaks).

The National Agreement was developed as a partnership, between Indigenous organisations and the Commonwealth, State and Territory and local governments, intended to overcome the inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It includes 17 targets, with the partners’ commitments against these to be confirmed by July 2021.

They include Target 14, which relates to improving social and emotional wellbeing and reducing suicide.
Several other targets relate to life circumstances that are directly relevant to suicide prevention, including:
Target 7: Youth employment and education
Target 9: Appropriate, affordable housing
Target 10: Reducing incarceration of adults
Target 11: Reducing youth detention
Target 13: Reducing family violence
Target 15: Promoting connection to Country
Target 16: Access to culture and language

Across all domains, four Priority Reforms have been agreed, all of which are likely to impact on PHNs’ commissioning relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, requiring shared leadership, improved collaboration and greater accountability for progress.

All parties to the agreement are required to publish an Implementation Plan for how they will progress reforms to achieve the targets. These documents provide detailed information about suicide prevention investment at jurisdictional levels.

More Suggested Resources

Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) – Guiding Principles – 2016

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