A new mental health program hopes to help address a "troubling disparity" in suicide rates for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in the Hunter.
The Yarn Up Connecting Countries program is targeted at Aboriginal men aged 18 to 35 - a population at increased risk of suicide in Australia, particularly in parts of the Hunter.
"Unfortunately last year we had a number of deaths by suicide in that age bracket here in the Hunter, which got us thinking what can we do to remedy this issue?" Todd Heard, the director of We Care, said. "Young people aged 15-to-25 are twice more likely than the general population to die by suicide.
"Aboriginal men are more likely to die by suicide, and rates in Aboriginal women are increasing, just not to the same degree.
"Locally, we have seen there have been difficulties for the 18-to-35 year old age range for Aboriginal men in Maitland and the Lower Hunter area, in particular."
Mr Heard said the free program aimed to reconnect Aboriginal men back to self, back to community, and back to culture. It is supported by $66,000 in funding by nib foundation.
"Through the delivery of this program we hope to provide a solid support network for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and help to strengthen their pride as an Aboriginal person, in an effort to reduce the risk of suicide in the community."
Register for the program at news.wecarensw.com.au/connecting-countries-program-registration.
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