Danila Dilba Healing and Recovery Service

Support to Mob Following a Suicide Attempt

A new Danila Dilba-led suicide prevention service launched on April 1, providing aftercare services to clients - and their families - following a suicidal crisis.

The service will provide culturally safe care at the right time to clients.

"The facts tell us that the relative risk for suicide or self-harm following an earlier suicide attempt is incredibly high," CEO Rob McPhee said.

"We also know that the emotional and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is inextricably tied to the health of their family and community. A suicide attempt or crisis is felt by everyone and follow up support needs to support everyone.

Danila Dilba - together with our partners at NT Health and NT Primary Health Network - consulted with 19 local organisations to design the new service.

The service is currently taking referrals from Darwin Royal Hospital only. This will be expanded to include other services in coming months. 

The Healing and recovery Service has been funded jointly by the NT Government and NT Primary Health Network, with Danila Dilba carrying responsibility for the entire Darwin region.

Service Coordinator Jenon Batty said Danila Dilba had subcontracted to Neami National who are providing services to non-Indigenous clients.

"We are currently in the initial phase of coordinating the suicide prevention plan, which means lots of meetings and readings!" Jenon said.

"This includes frequent meetings with Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH), the Mental Health Action Team (MHAT), and Neami National for continuous process improvements, as well as monitoring referrals and allocating them appropriately."