Hope, Suicide Prevention and Postvention in Indigenous Communities
Tracks
Ballroom 1 - In-Person & Virtual via OnAIR
Ballroom 2 - In-Person Only
Springbrook Room - In-Person Only
Binna Burra Room - In-Person Only
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
| 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM |
Overview
Prof Patricia Dudgeon AM, Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention
Presenter
Prof Pat Dudgeon
Professor
The University Of Western Australia
Hope, Suicide Prevention and Postvention in Indigenous Communities
Presentation Overview
This presentation will provide an overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) which has emerged as an important concept within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing. Previous terms were such as ‘mental health’ and ‘mental illness’ have limits, and the concept of SEWB is much broader and more holistic. SEWB recognises the importance of connection to land, culture, spirituality, ancestry, family and community, as well as how these interrelate to impact the individual, their family, and their community. In recent times, innovative approaches are emerging within the field of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing that confirm a promising way forward. This presentation will address how work within the wellbeing and mental health space must be undertaken in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and needs to prioritise the importance of culture in programs and services.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Limitations of mainstream approaches with Indigenous people.
2. Understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB).
3. How SEWB has been applied in programs and services
Three Key Learnings:
1. Limitations of mainstream approaches with Indigenous people.
2. Understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB).
3. How SEWB has been applied in programs and services
Biography
Professor Pat Dudgeon AM, a Bardi woman from Western Australia, is a psychologist and professor at the Poche Centre for Aboriginal Health and the School of Indigenous Studies at The University of Western Australia. Her research focuses on Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. She is the Director of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention, and the lead Chief Investigator for the national Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing research project. A former National Mental Health Commissioner, she has served on multiple advisory boards and authored key works, including Working Together and the Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project Report.
