South Australian peak body for Aboriginal health
Monday, January 23, 2012
Grief and Loss hits Aboriginal families hard in 2012
A widely circulated letter by Aboriginal leader Tauto Sansbury highlights the grief and loss crisis faced by many Aboriginal families in South Australia as 2012 begins. The premature death of Aboriginal people is not a new issue. Aboriginal people and organisations such as The Aboriginal Health Council of SA Inc. (AHCSA) have been fighting to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal life expectancy for many years.
“No Aboriginal person is immune to the impact of such terrible grief and loss,” Chief Executive Officer Mary Buckskin said. “It affects us every day. My mother has watched too many of her children die prematurely through preventable circumstances. It is devastating.”
“It is not only the health sector that needs to respond to this situation. The poverty and powerlessness experienced by many Aboriginal people has an enormous impact on Aboriginal people’s lives. The poor health outcomes that are experienced by Aboriginal people are the result of a complex interplay between historical, housing, education, health and social determinants,” said Ms Buckskin.
In response to high suicide rates within Aboriginal communities, particularly amongst young Aboriginal men, Ms Buckskin said “AHCSA would welcome the introduction of a suicide prevention workforce within the Aboriginal community controlled health sector. Such an investment would greatly contribute to Closing the Gap between Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal life expectancy. “
AHCSA, with its members, is committed to working with government, other service providers and Aboriginal communities to address the multi-faceted health and social factors that lie behind the recent deaths in South Australia.
The Aboriginal Health Council of SA Inc. (AHCSA) is the peak body representing Aboriginal community controlled health and substance misuse service, and Aboriginal health advisory committees across South Australia. AHCSA is an affiliate of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
ENDS. For further information contact: Ms Mary Buckskin, Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Inc., 08 8273 7200.
