PRESENTS
4 - 6 March 2025 | Eora/Sydney
Elevating the voices of the next generation to prevent Indigenous suicide
Welcome to the Indigenous Suicide Prevention Forum
First Nations grassroots organisations across Australia continue to lead the way in implementing culturally safe, trauma-informed suicide prevention initiatives. These initiatives are crucial in preventing suicides and fostering resilience within our communities. We know that our people know best what works for them, and this forum provides a space for these important initiatives and strategies to be shared.
At our previous forums in 2022, 2023 and 2024, we had the honour of witnessing the profound impact of community-led efforts in this area. This year, we continue to build on that momentum, offering a platform for experts, community leaders, and practitioners to come together to share their insights, learn from one another, and form partnerships that will strengthen our collective approach to suicide prevention.
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The Australian Indigenous Psychologists’ Association looks forward to welcoming you on Eora Country.
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Vanessa Edwige
Chair, AIPA
2025 Forum Committee Members
Vanessa Edwige
Chair
AIPA
Kim Mullholand Cultural and Spiritual Wellbeing, Practitioner/Advisor, Founder
IvolveGen
Prof. Gracelyn Smallwood
Adjunct Professor
James Cook University, University of Queensland (Forum Elder)
Kelleigh Ryan
Co-Founder
The Seedling Group
Prof. Pat Dudgeon Professor of
Indigenous Studies and Project Director
CBPATSISP and University of Western Australia
Leda Barnett Research Fellow,
The Hopkins Centre Griffith University
Thara Brown
General Manager (Programs)
Culture is Life
Belinda Duarte
Chief Executive Officer
Culture is Life
Tahnee McBean Clinical Lead of Family Counselling Services
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
Shannon McNeair
Psychologist
McNeair Aboriginal Psychological Services
Featured Speakers
Professor Pat Dudgeon
Professor of Indigenous Studies and Project Director
​Centre for Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention, University of Western Australia
Rachel Fishlock
Chief Executive Officer
Gayaa Dhuwi
Dr. Mark Standing Eagle Baez
Assistant Professor of Counseling and Clinical Psychology
​Bemidji State University & the President-elect for the Society of Indian Psychologists
Donna Stanley
Executive Manager Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing
​Western NSW Primary Health Network
Marjorie Anderson
National Manager
​13Yarn
Joe Williams
Chief Executive Officer
The Enemy Within - Suicide Prevention and Mental Health & Wellbeing Education
Who Should Attend?
Those working to prevent suicide and improve wellbeing in Indigenous communities, including: 
Why Attend?
1
Learn what the future generation of leaders identify as critical to their social and emotional wellbeing
2
Take inspiration from numerous case studies of culture-based healing programs happening in communities across Australia
3
Increase your capacity to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to heal and build resilience
4
Bridge the gaps between research and practice, and between policy and grassroots action
5
Participate in cultural and healing activities such as trauma-informed yoga, weaving and grounding body work
6
Understand the important role of social determinants such as drug and alcohol and children in out of home care in suicide rates in First Nations communities
7
Engage in conversations and solutions to build the capacity and reach of suicide prevention efforts in remote Australia
“What an important event, thank you for creating a safe space to talk about such important issues facing our community.”
Indigenous Healing Practitioner, First Nations Healing
