Selena Uibo

Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Media Release

Top End to receive new healing and recovery service for suicide prevention

11 February 2024

As part of the Territory Labor Government’s plan to reduce the Northern Territory’s suicide rate and improve the health and wellbeing of Territorians, the Territory Government and the Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NT PHN) are investing $3.3 million in Danila Dilba Health Service’s (DDHS) new Darwin Healing and Recovery Service.

Over the next five years the service will build on the connections of existing local and national care providers, with a flexible approach to integrate social and generational changes that support individuals, families and their community to get help when needed.

The new service has been designed with engagement, collaboration and responsiveness to local needs through consultation of Territory mental health and suicide prevention service providers and Aboriginal Territorian community members to improve pathways for families and communities to access support following a suicide attempt or crisis.

This service will help to build stronger communities to respond to and prevent suicidal behaviour by delivering informed and inclusive services to meet the needs of Territorians.

The Danila Dilba-led service will also be subcontracted to another provider to deliver the same service to non-Aboriginal clients within an integrated model.

This investment is on top of the new Royal Darwin Hospital’s Mental Health Inpatient Unit.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Selena Uibo:

“Suicide attempts and crisis are griefs that are shared by everyone in the community. The Territory Labor Government is focussed on supporting all Territorians with their mental health.

“We 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.

“This holistic new service will be locally responsive and person-centred, with support also provided to the client’s family and community through integration to ensure clients are receiving the right care at the right time, which will increase their sense of safety and wellbeing.”

Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Primary Health Network Chief Executive Officer, Gillian Yearsley:

“The mental healthcare needs in the Territory are incredibly complex and need a tailored approach led by community voices, which is what this service will provide.

“The Territory’s population is over-represented in suicide statistics, particularly within the Aboriginal population, so we need to ensure Territorians have access to appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services.

“Working closely with First Nations service providers and community members to deliver culturally safe mental health support is an important part of this new service.”

Quotes attributable to Danila Dilba Health Service Chief Executive Officer, Rob McPhee:

“The facts tell us that the relative risk for suicide or self-harm following an earlier suicide attempt is incredibly high.

“There has been broad consultation with 19 local organisations, review of the best available evidence and workshops focused on co-design with community members, government and community providers to ensure all stakeholders can have a say.

“Through integration, we will ensure clients are receiving the right care at the right time, which will increase their sense of safety and wellbeing.”

Northern Territory Government

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