The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) is Australia’s leading authority on Indigenous suicide. It was established in 2017 to develop and share evidence about effective suicide prevention approaches for Indigenous people and communities. The CBPATSISP promotes evidence-based suicide prevention practice that empowers individuals, families, and communities, underpinned by a respect for their culture.
The work of the CBPATSISP is built on the foundation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP), and informed by the guiding principles of the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017-2023, which recognise the strengths of Indigenous communities and their right to self-determination.
The CBPATSISP influences Indigenous suicide prevention policy, practice, and research by promoting access to evidence and resources and through advocacy. Key work programs include:
- Clearing houses of best practice programs, services, and research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention
- Accessible resources to support implementation of best practice suicide prevention responses, including a manual of resources designed for individuals and communities, clinicians and front-line workers, and Primary Health Networks
- Policy consultations and submissions that promote self-determination and Indigenous governance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention services
The CBPATSISP is a consortium led by The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the School of Indigenous Studies, the University of Western Australia, in partnership with The Healing Foundation, Telethon Kids Institute, Menzies Institute for Medical Research and Health InfoNet. The work of the CBPATSISP is guided by a National Governance Committee. The CBPATSISP is funded through the Commonwealth Government’s National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program (NSPLSP), and has formal partnerships with other organisations funded under the same program: Suicide Prevention Australia; University of Melbourne – Centre for Mental Health; Black Dog Institute; and Everymind.
