In May, internationally recognised psychologist, Professor Pat Dudgeon, from the Bardi people of Western Australia, with local psychologist, Tanja Hirvonen, provided a seminar and workshop on suicide prevention and social and emotional wellbeing, at the Centre for Remote Health in Alice Springs.

Health professionals and community members attended the evening seminar, What Works in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention?

The following half-day workshop, Social and Emotional Wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: Indigenous Leadership and How This is Key to Optimal Outcomes, was well attended. It explored social and emotional wellbeing concepts, addressing concerns that may arise when we do not consider this model, and highlighting the need to work alongside local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards improving wellbeing.

Many participants agreed or strongly agreed that the learnings expanded their knowledge with comments received including ‘very useful’, ‘current research’, ‘I gained a lot of insight that will help my programs’.

Professor Tim Carey, Director of the Centre for Remote Health, Dr Sabine Hammond, Australian Psychological Society and Tanja Hirvonen, Mental Health Academic supported Pat’s visit to the heart of Australia. These visits provide great opportunities for health practitioners in remote Australia to work together to improve health outcomes for all peoples.

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