❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the allocation and outcomes of $1.36 million in fast-tracked funding for mental health initiatives in the Kimberley region, specifically focusing on staffing and community coordinator roles. The answer highlights challenges in community empowerment for suicide prevention.
AnsweredQoN 4408Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the injection of $1.36 million funding which was fast tracked into the Kimberley as stated in the Minister’s press statement of Friday, 11 March 2011, and I ask -
(1) How long are the 11 additional temporary staff employed for?
(2) Has there been any feedback on the outcomes of this fast-tracked initiative?
(3) Have the four community co-ordinators been employed for the regions as stated in the press statement?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) If yes to (3), how long have they been employed?
(6) What outcomes have these co-ordinators reported thus far?
(1) How long are the 11 additional temporary staff employed for?
(2) Has there been any feedback on the outcomes of this fast-tracked initiative?
(3) Have the four community co-ordinators been employed for the regions as stated in the press statement?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) If yes to (3), how long have they been employed?
(6) What outcomes have these co-ordinators reported thus far?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 September 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health
Response time
42 days
(1) Until September 2011. The Mental Health Commission is currently negotiating an extension of the current temporary arrangements beyond September with the organisations involved.
(2) Yes. The feedback has been positive and progressive. All the organisations involved are proud of the work that the additional staff have done.
(3-6) The main challenge to empowering Aboriginal communities to undertake longer term suicide prevention is to identify and support community strengths, including leaders and different cultural practices.
Limitations include the fact the as members of the community, there are restrictions on issues where they can become involved for privacy and cultural reasons, including issues to do with gender, marriage relationships and other family groups.
There are also difficulties which require understanding such as potential 'payback' for not preventing a suicide.
Nevertheless, research and anecdotal evidence demonstrates that the better outcome for long-term suicide prevention in Aboriginal communities is achieved through patient and sensitive development of community empowerment.
The Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council (KAMSC) is the host agency for the Suicide Prevention Strategy in the Kimberley and has been very active on the ground in engaging community members throughout the Kimberley and identifying potential Community Coordinators. Derby has been a particular focus for KAMSC where a public meeting was held on 3 August 2011.
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(2) Yes. The feedback has been positive and progressive. All the organisations involved are proud of the work that the additional staff have done.
(3-6) The main challenge to empowering Aboriginal communities to undertake longer term suicide prevention is to identify and support community strengths, including leaders and different cultural practices.
Limitations include the fact the as members of the community, there are restrictions on issues where they can become involved for privacy and cultural reasons, including issues to do with gender, marriage relationships and other family groups.
There are also difficulties which require understanding such as potential 'payback' for not preventing a suicide.
Nevertheless, research and anecdotal evidence demonstrates that the better outcome for long-term suicide prevention in Aboriginal communities is achieved through patient and sensitive development of community empowerment.
The Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council (KAMSC) is the host agency for the Suicide Prevention Strategy in the Kimberley and has been very active on the ground in engaging community members throughout the Kimberley and identifying potential Community Coordinators. Derby has been a particular focus for KAMSC where a public meeting was held on 3 August 2011.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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