World News
Advocates press Victoria over unfunded Indigenous healing centres following 121 suicide deaths
Indigenous health leaders call for culturally appropriate mental health services after 121 First Nations Victorians died by suicide over the past five years.
The short version
- The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) highlighted that 121 Indigenous Victorians have died by suicide over the past five years, noting First Nations people in the state remain three times more likely to die by suicide.
- Health leaders urged the government to fund two proposed Aboriginal cultural healing centres estimated at $36.2 million over four years, a key measure supported by the 2021 royal commission into mental health.
- Neither Victorian Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt nor Opposition Spokesperson Emma Kealy committed to funding the healing centres during a joint appearance.
- The government's willingness to fund the healing centres in upcoming budget negotiations remains uncertain.
Key facts
- At least 121 Indigenous Victorians have died by suicide over the past five years following the March 2021 final report of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System.[The Guardian]
- First Nations individuals in Victoria are three times more likely to die by suicide compared to the broader population.[The Guardian]
- VACCHO has twice requested state funding for two cultural healing centres, estimated to cost $36.2 million over four years.[The Guardian]
- Although the Victorian government accepted all recommendations from the royal commission's report, key recommendations specific to Indigenous mental health services remain unimplemented.[The Guardian]
- Victorian Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt and opposition spokesperson Emma Kealy both spoke to reporters regarding the issue but refrained from committing funds to the centres.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- It is unknown whether the Victorian government will allocate funding for the requested $36.2 million cultural healing centres in future budget processes.[The Guardian]