We are not the problem, we are part of the solution: Indigenous lived experience project report

In June 2018, the Centre of Best Practce in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) facilitated a workshop to investgate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experiences of suicide. The aims of the workshop were to ensure the meaningful inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in an overall Lived Experience Project (the Project). Informaton was sought about possible diferences regarding the lived experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to that of the non-Indigenous population. Another aim was to examine the need for a specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experience defnition and network.

The workshop showed that the lived experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was different to others. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experience is contextualised within a history of colonisation that has resulted in disadvantage, racism, lack of acknowledgement of cultural differences and exclusion.