Stephens, Anne (2015) Training for Life: supporting communities to reduce the risk of suicide. The delivery of Certificate IV in Indigenous Mental Health (Suicide Prevention). Wontulp Bi-Buya College, 2014–2015. Report. The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

[Extract] This report is a review of the delivery of the Indigenous Mental Health (Suicide Prevention) Certificate IV, (hereby known as IMH) has been conducted by Dr Anne Stephens, education sociologist and evaluation expert, the Cairns Institute, James Cook University, Cairns.

As part of the Community prevention for high risk groups initiative of the Taking Action to Tackle Suicide (TATS) Package, Wontulp -Bi -Buya College (WBBC) has delivered the IMH in two intakes:

• May 2014 - Nov 2014

• Feb 2015 – Nov 2015

The course was developed by WBBC's College Course Advisory Committee with WBBC Trainer and Course Coordinator, Rev. Leslie Baird. Rev. Baird developed the Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention in Yarrabah (1995/6). Rev. Baird adapted the Indigenous Mental Health for suicide prevention and cultural suitability, to comply with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), in consultation with Indigenous leaders.

As a pilot the IMH course has been highly effective in promoting localised responses to suicide and mental health issues within Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The course is transferrable to other delivery settings outside of Cairns.

There have been 60 enrolees. 78% of the total enrolees completed the course. On average, students are over 45 years of age. 85% of enrolees were female in the 2014 intake and 77% in the 2015 intake. Student’s average age were 47.4 (female) and 41.8 (male). The average highest level of formal education is year 10. Two students had a degree qualification but most had medium to high literacy needs.

WBBC core mission is to produce empowered community leaders. With the increased awareness of mental health and suicide WBBC students are participants of a staged encounter in which students feel a new or renewed sense of belonging to a network, movement or cause. Graduates have developed personal empowerment and sense of control over their own life circumstance and environment. As each student participant will be active in teaching and mentoring others this is crucial to their own mental health and capability to promote help seeking behaviour and promotion of positive lifestyle choices in others. They emerge with a set of oral and practical skills to work effectively with service providers in existing health and community services or in finding a niche to fill. Six graduates of the 2014 course are now engaged in full-time work having completed the IMH course.

Item ID:	41155
Item Type:	Report (Report)
ISBN:	978-0-9942333-5-6
Related URLs:	Publisher
Additional Information:	This discussion paper is licenced under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence. You are free to copy, communicate and adapt this work, so long as you attribute James Cook University [The Cairns Institute] and the author.
Date Deposited:	15 Sep 2016 01:06
FoR Codes:	13 EDUCATION > 1303 Specialist Studies in Education > 130301 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education @ 40% 13 EDUCATION > 1303 Specialist Studies in Education > 130303 Education Assessment and Evaluation @ 30% 13 EDUCATION > 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy > 130213 Vocational Education and Training Curriculum and Pedagogy @ 30%
SEO Codes:	93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9399 Other Education and Training > 939901 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education @ 50% 93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9304 School/Institution > 930401 Management and Leadership of Schools/Institutions @ 50%
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