To date, only a handful of suicide prevention programs have been delivered in Australia to prevent and intervene suicidal behaviours. To address this, a systematic review exploring risk factors for suicidality and suicide among CALD populations in Australia was conducted by Bowden and Colleagues, 2020, who identified the following themes:

• Acculturation difficulties – this is inclusive of resettlement challenges, loss of one’s cultural identity, language barriers, employment, and financial stressors.
• Stigma – this is flagged as a significant barrier for help-seeking behaviours for suicidality for CALD communities. Stigma and self-stigma are closely associated to cultural norms, family, social pressures and sustaining amicable relationships within their own communities.
• Social networks and families – both can be both risk and protective factors. It increases family stressors and including family conflict and social isolation (while social support is in fact a key protective factor.

At BPA, we are looking closely at psychosocial risk factors attributed to suicidal behaviours among CALD communities. Through our stakeholder connections, and through consultation, we plan to gain a deeper understanding of best prevention strategies.