We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and pay our respects to all Elders past and present, and to the children of today who are the Elders of the future.
Artist: Jasmine Sarin, a proud Kamilaroi and Jerrinja woman.
Joint release by the Ngarruwan Ngadju First Peoples Health and Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Wollongong, in partnership with the Cygnet Centre for Peacebuilding and Transformation Ltd, and the Indigenous Education and Research Centre at James Cook University.
A report published on 1 December 2025 shines a stark light on youth suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in NSW and sets out urgent recommendations for systemic reform.
The Holding Hope Research and Community Reports have been released by the Ngarruwan Ngadju First Peoples Health and Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Wollongong, in partnership with the Cygnet Centre for Peacebuilding and Transformation Ltd, and the Indigenous Education and Research Centre at James Cook University. This research was commissioned by the NSW Child Death Review Team (CDRT) and tabled in the NSW Parliament.
This three-year study (2021–2024) investigates the factors that increase or reduce suicide risk for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, documents existing prevention and intervention programs and provides clear recommendations for more effective strategies.
Drawing on in-depth case reviews of 43 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who died by suicide between 2011 and 2020, a comprehensive literature review and the voices of community members across five regional workshops, the report honours the lives lost and the families and communities who carry their memory.
“Not one Aboriginal family has not been touched by suicide,” one workshop participant shared.
Co-author Associate Professor Marlene Longbottom explained the research carries the voices and memories of our young ones who are no longer with us.
“We honour their lives, their families and their communities by ensuring their stories lead to change,” Associate Professor Longbottom said.
According to Professor Kathleen Clapham, there is an urgent need for governments, services and communities to act.
“The report highlights both the profound challenges and the enduring strengths within Aboriginal communities. It identifies systemic barriers such as racism, fragmented services and inequities in health, education and housing. It also points to missed opportunities where timely support could have changed outcomes and warns of the risks of labelling young people as ‘disengaged’, a framing that can obscure their behaviour as an expression of unmet needs,” Professor Clapham said.
Christine Thomas, CEO Cygnet Centre for Peacebuilding and Transformation, and co-author commented that recognising these needs is essential to ensuring young people receive the lifesaving supports and services they deserve. At the same time, the report affirms the protective power of culture, kinship, supportive relationships and community‑led solutions.
“Government must move beyond rhetoric to action. Our children’s lives depend on it, and history will judge us by what we do next,” Ms Thomas said.
The Holding Hope report calls for the NSW Government’s urgent consideration of its findings and recommendations. An accompanying Community Report returns the research findings to participating communities in a culturally respectful and accessible way, upholding the principle of reciprocity and knowledge-sharing.
A series of community workshops commencing with Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies will take place across NSW between 1–10 December in Nowra, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Redfern and Ballina, with keynotes from Professor Pat Dudgeon and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter. These gatherings will formally present the reports back to communities, providing space for reflection, dialogue and collective action.
The researcher partners and the NSW Child Death Review Team extend their deep respect to the families and communities who shared their stories and to the young people whose lives are remembered in this work. Their voices and experiences guide the recommendations and strengthen the call for urgent systemic change.
The reports are available on the CDRT’s website here.
The NSW Ombudsman convenes and supports the CDRT, managing its day-to-day operations, such as:
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and pay our respects to all Elders past and present, and to the children of today who are the Elders of the future.
Artist: Jasmine Sarin, a proud Kamilaroi and Jerrinja woman.