Oral Presentation National Suicide Prevention Conference 2026

First Nations young peoples’ perspectives, experiences, and priorities for cultural connection suicide prevention initiatives  (131395)

Mandy Gibson 1 , Charles Rolls 2 , Lerissa Rolls 2 , Ronald Conlon 2
  1. Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, QLD, Australia
  2. Youth2Knowledge Indigenous youth mental health, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Background: 

While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people experience higher suicide mortality than non-Indigenous young people1, there is limited evidence of effective preventative strategies2. Many are misaligned to the needs and experiences of First Nations young people due to a lack of consideration of protective factors such as community and cultural connection3.   

In response, Project Yarn Circle was developed by Youth2Knowledge, an Indigenous youth organisation to reduce suicide through promoting cultural connection by engaging with Elders and local knowledge holders to share and learn cultural practices. Pilot evaluation results found that young people experienced lower suicidal ideation, greater self-esteem and reasons for living4.  

While these initial findings are promising, it is critical to understand these protective mechanisms in order to replicate the program in other communities while prioritising the voice and experiences of First Nations young people in the design and application of their programs.  

Research study: 

A focus group study was conducted to explore First Nations young peoples’ perceptions and insights into the potential mechanisms by which cultural connection is protective against suicide, and priorities for cultural interventions. The yarning / focus group protocol was co-designed and co-facilitated with program facilitators and Elders to ensure that methodology was culturally-safe, age-appropriate and consistent with local community interpretations.  

Five focus group yarning sessions were conducted at secondary schools in Southeast Queensland with 89 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people participating in the sessions. 

Results: 

Thematic analysis revealed several themes of First Nations’ perspectives of mechanisms by which connection to culture is protective. Young people identified gaining competence in cultural knowledge and skills as a key protective mechanism as it built their sense of identity and self-confidence. Participants also reported that connecting to culture increased motivated to pass on their culture to the next generations and connection with their own futures. Sadly, the adverse effects of racism and the long shadow of the Stolen Generations were ever present in young people’s reflections. Positively, , participants described connecting with community and culture as a strategy to address these current and intergenerational harms. 

Conclusion: 

These unique insights from First Nations young peoples’ voices provide important information about what is valued and prioritise in cultural programs, and highlight the essential factors to incorporate in subsequent deliveries to guide other communities in translating and replicating cultural connection programs. Further learning and program application of the yarning session findings will also be discussed. 

  1. 1. Gibson M, Stuart J, Leske S, Ward R, Tanton R. Suicide rates for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: the influence of community level cultural connectedness. Med J Aust. 2021;214(11):514-518. doi:10.5694/mja2.51084
  2. 2. Gibson M, Stuart J, Leske S, Ward R, Tanton R. Suicide rates for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: the influence of community level cultural connectedness. Med J Aust. 2021;214(11):514-518. doi:10.5694/mja2.51084
  3. 3. Dudgeon, P., Calma, T., & Holland, C. (2017). The context and causes of the suicide of Indigenous people in Australia. Journal of Indigenous Wellbeing, 2(2), 5–15. https://journalindigenouswellbeing.co.nz/journal_articles/the-context-and-causes-of-the-suicide-of-indigenous-people-in-australia/
  4. 4. Gibson, M., Rolls, C., Robson, M., Ward, R., Stuart, J., & Lambden, D. (2024). Project Yarn Circle: development and pilot evaluation of a cultural connection suicide prevention program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Australian Psychologist, 59(6), 508–522. https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2024.2404977