Top honours for Broome suicide prevention programme

Alive & Kicking Goals! was recently recognised for its work in suicide prevention as the winner of the 2014 Australian Medical Association (WA) Healthway Healthier WA Award.

The award recognises excellence and innovation in primary prevention in areas including chronic disease, road trauma, infectious disease, suicide, domestic violence and workplace injury.

The Broome based programme was founded by David Pigram and is staffed by a team of four, supported by 10-20 Aboriginal volunteers.  All are very proud of their win.

Joe Tighe, the programme’s psychologist says the award recognises the work of people who dedicate their time to direct the project and ensure its cultural safety and validity.

“The $10,000 prize money will be used to support young Aboriginal community members to achieve their goals including sponsoring a local football competition, and possibly funding an international rodeo trip for a young man,” Joe said.

“There will also be opportunities to send youth on a 9 day Lurujarri Trail north of Broome where they can connect with country and culture.”  

Activities like these require physical and mental strength, so connecting young Aboriginal people with their culture is an essential aspect of suicide prevention work.

“The recent establishment of a Women’s Reference Group is exciting and will further extend the reach of the programme,” Joe said.

The programme has a counsellor, three Aboriginal peer educators (male and female) who work one-on-one with youth at risk and in need of support in the Broome region.  Educators provide critical role modelling and advice for youth who are often in state care.

Peer educators also deliver group training on suicide prevention, anger management and conflict resolution in schools, prisons and the general community across the Kimberley.

Alive & Kicking Goals! was recently recognised for its work in suicide prevention as the winner of the 2014 Australian Medical Association (WA) Healthway Healthier WA Award.

The award recognises excellence and innovation in primary prevention in areas including chronic disease, road trauma, infectious disease, suicide, domestic violence and workplace injury.

The Broome based programme was founded by David Pigram and is staffed by a team of four, supported by 10-20 Aboriginal volunteers.  All are very proud of their win.

Joe Tighe, the programme’s psychologist says the award recognises the work of people who dedicate their time to direct the project and ensure its cultural safety and validity.

“The $10,000 prize money will be used to support young Aboriginal community members to achieve their goals including sponsoring a local football competition, and possibly funding an international rodeo trip for a young man,” Joe said.

“There will also be opportunities to send youth on a 9 day Lurujarri Trail north of Broome where they can connect with country and culture.”  

Activities like these require physical and mental strength, so connecting young Aboriginal people with their culture is an essential aspect of suicide prevention work.

“The recent establishment of a Women’s Reference Group is exciting and will further extend the reach of the programme,” Joe said.

The programme has a counsellor, three Aboriginal peer educators (male and female) who work one-on-one with youth at risk and in need of support in the Broome region.  Educators provide critical role modelling and advice for youth who are often in state care.

Peer educators also deliver group training on suicide prevention, anger management and conflict resolution in schools, prisons and the general community across the Kimberley.