Leading the Way in Indigenous Suicide Postvention and Social Wellbeing
Thirrili is immensely honored to be recognised as the Member of the Month by Suicide Prevention Australia. As a national provider of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific postvention and support, we are deeply committed to our work in Indigenous suicide postvention and our broader mission of promoting social wellbeing. Thirrili proudly embraces our role as a national peak body in Indigenous suicide postvention.
At Thirrili, we acknowledge and honour the strengths inherent within our communities. We understand the gravity of our responsibility to support individuals, families, and communities in the aftermath of suicide or unexpected fatal incidents. As an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, we uphold protective boundaries that honour self-determination in the processes of bereavement and healing.
Our organisation is firmly grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being, and doing. With immense pride, we operate as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entity, guided by our shared collective and continuous ancestral connections. Our vision is clear: we strive for thriving and flourishing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, where future generations are free from the traumatic impacts of suicide.
To fulfill our purpose, we provide crucial and timely support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, drawing on cultural ways of knowing, being, and doing. Our comprehensive approach includes several key elements:
- Supporting communities in the aftermath of suicide or other fatal critical incidents, offering practical assistance, social and emotional support, individual and family counselling, healing sessions, and the development of community response plans.
- Working collaboratively with communities to empower them in building self-determined lives that are resilient to the impacts of suicide. We firmly believe in the power of meaningful partnerships and collective decision-making.
- Informing systems change at all levels through our expert, evidence-informed research advice. Our research drives policy development and program design, leading to tangible improvements in the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.
- Strengthening place-based service delivery capacity by working closely with affected communities. We recognise the significance of community-led initiatives and strive to tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each community we serve.
Our work is deeply rooted in our cultural values, which permeate every aspect of our organisation. We operate collectively, respecting communities’ invitations and supporting community-led decision-making. We conduct our work under communities’ protocols and directions, demonstrating utmost respect. Our commitment is reciprocal, as we provide support and services with integrity and trust. Our relationships with individuals, families, and communities extend beyond isolated incidents, embracing a continuum of care and reflecting our shared identity as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We embrace diversity and inclusivity, ensuring our organisation is accessible to all and reflects the rich composition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia.
Thirrili invites communities to hold us accountable to these cultural values. We aspire to create an environment where everyone belongs, where all are welcome, and where each person’s positive contributions are valued and celebrated.
Thirrili’s fundamental focus on suicide postvention plays a crucial role in limiting the possibility of suicide contagion among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities. Our team of advocates diligently responds to the needs of families and communities across all of Australia. Through practical assistance, social and emotional support, and community response plans, we sit beside them, empowering them to heal and build resilient futures.
Our commitment extends beyond direct support, as we strive to drive systemic change and influence policy development to enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities. Together with our communities, we work tirelessly to create a future generation to be free from the traumatic impacts of suicide.
