Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are significantly overrepresented in suicide statistics in Australia, and too often encounter barriers to culturally safe support following a suicide attempt or crisis. In this session, we invite you to explore the possibilities and outcomes of culturally responsive aftercare—where culture, community and lived experience are integral to healing, resilience, and recovery.

Drawing on the story of Care Connect, an aftercare program delivered by Social Futures and funded by Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network, we will examine how having Aboriginal Support Coordinators embedded in multidisciplinary teams can transform the experience of aftercare for First Nations participants. This is a chance to hear firsthand how practical supports—like case management, safety planning, and emotional wellbeing strategies—are strengthened when led by Aboriginal staff who can connect with participants through shared culture, understanding, and community networks.

Attendees will hear about co-designed recruitment processes that uphold cultural safety from the outset, the importance of weaving cultural traditions into daily practice, and how the presence of Aboriginal staff has helped reduce shame, encourage honest conversations, and deliver more effective aftercare. Real-world accounts and evaluation findings will provide insight into how this approach validates lived experience, supports connection to community, and delivers better mental health outcomes.

Whether you are working in mental health, policy, community services, or an allied field, this session will inspire and equip you to advocate for and embed culturally responsive principles in your own practice. Join us to better understand why Aboriginal-led roles are essential, discover practical lessons for designing inclusive aftercare, and learn how all services can play a part in supporting safer, more connected communities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Three Key Learnings
1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia are highly overrepresented in suicide statistics in Australia.
2. Recruitment and presence of Aboriginal staff has helped to deliver more effective aftercare.
3. Lived experience can support connection to community and deliver better mental health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.