Strong Men, Strong Mob: Changing the Story on Suicide
Casey Bird and Associate Professor Clinton Schultz
Thirrili and Gayaa Dhuwi are calling for governments to turn national suicide prevention commitments into sustained investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led responses that strengthen men’s social and emotional wellbeing.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men hold important roles in our families and communities. They are fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, grandfathers, partners, friends, Elders, cultural knowledge holders, leaders and mentors. Their knowledge, strength and connection must continue to support families and communities for generations to come.
Yet we continue to lose far too many of our men to suicide.
In 2024, 306 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people died by suicide, the highest number recorded. Around four in five were men. Seventy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children died by suicide between 2020 and 2024.
Thirrili sees this directly through its work alongside families and communities following suicide and traumatic loss. Many of the families we walk alongside have experienced multiple losses, with impacts extending well beyond the individual.
“The systems around our men are not delivering the level of change communities have been seeking and asking for, and we already have much of the policy architecture needed to guide this work,” said Casey Bird (Wulgurukaba/Juru), Thirrili COO.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025–2035 centres Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, self-determination, culture, lived experience, community-controlled responses and place-based approaches. It contributes to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, where Outcome 14 calls for high levels of social and emotional wellbeing and a significant and sustained reduction in suicide towards zero.
“Yet the latest Closing the Gap reporting shows Target 14 is worsening. Behind every number is a person. Behind every number is a family and community living with the impact of that loss,” said Karl Briscoe (Kuku Yalanji) Thirrili Board Director and Co-Chair of the National CTG Campaign.
The Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration Framework and Implementation Plan 2025–2035 provides a pathway to embed cultural strength, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, and accountability across mental health and suicide prevention systems. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Systems Approach to Suicide Prevention provides a practical framework for translating these national commitments into coordinated, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led and place-based action.
Associate Professor Clinton Schultz (Gamilaraay) psychologist and Board Director of Gayaa Dhuwi, said “the challenge is no longer knowing the policy direction. It is turning these commitments into action that is genuinely Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led, adequately resourced, locally responsive and accountable for outcomes.”
“Reducing suicide cannot sit solely with the men experiencing distress, nor with families and communities expected to respond after something has gone wrong. It requires governments, health and mental health systems, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, suicide prevention services and communities to work together,” shares Clinton.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, social and emotional wellbeing has long been understood holistically. Culture, Country, family, kinship, community, spirituality, identity and connection are interconnected with health and wellbeing.This matters.
Responses must recognise the strengths men hold, their roles and the cultural and community connections that support wellbeing. Men also need spaces to talk about what is happening in their lives without judgement and to seek support in ways that make sense to them.
Thirrili Deputy Chair Greg Pratt (Noonucal), said “When our men are strong and connected, that strength flows through families, communities and future generations. We know what to do. What matters now is implementation, investment and accountability.”
Our men matter. Their voices matter. And their lives matter.
ENDS
Gayaa Dhuwi and Thirrili reminds the public and media outlets of the importance of responsible and culturally respectful reporting when it comes to issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This includes adhering to the Good Yarn Guidelines and ensuring that crisis support services are promoted effectively. 24/7 crisis helpline services available to the community include:
13 YARN (13 92 76) – a dedicated support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Brother to Brother crisis line (1800 435 799) – providing support for men
Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) – for young people in need of support
For further information, and resources, or to access support services, please visit www.gayaadhuwi.org.au
About Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention. As a community-controlled organisation, it is governed and controlled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts and peak bodies, working to promote collective excellence in mental healthcare.
About Thirrili
Thirrili is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that is led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing. Its vision is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities are thriving and flourishing for future generations to be free from the traumatic impacts of suicide.
Gayaa Dhuwi Media Contact:
Tom Hodge, General Manager
0410 088 593
Communications@GayaaDhuwi.org.au
Thirrili Media Contact:
Shen’e Clemments, Director, Communications and Strategy
Communications@Thirrili.com.au