121 Indigenous Victorians Died by Suicide Post-Royal Commission

One hundred and twenty-one empty chairs were placed on the steps of Victorian parliament to represent the Indigenous lives lost to suicide in the state over the past five years. This stark visual demonstration highlights a critical public health crisis that has persisted despite recommendations from a significant inquiry. The Indigenous health service has stated that the state government has "done nothing" to fund the recommended First Nations healing centres, which were a key outcome of the royal commission into mental health.

The royal commission's final report was released in March 2021, and it specifically recommended the establishment of dedicated healing centres for First Nations people. These centres were intended to provide culturally appropriate mental health support and address the underlying causes of distress within Indigenous communities. However, according to the state's peak body for Aboriginal health, the Victorian government has failed to act on these recommendations by not providing the necessary funding. This inaction has led to continued loss of life, with the 121 suicides occurring after the report's findings were made public.

The Indigenous health service expressed profound disappointment and frustration, with spokespeople indicating that the situation has reached a point where "enough is enough." The lack of progress on implementing the royal commission's recommendations is seen as a direct contributor to the ongoing tragedy. The empty chairs serve as a powerful symbol of the lives that could potentially have been saved if the recommended healing centres had been established and adequately resourced. The advocacy group emphasized that the state has not taken sufficient steps to address the mental health crisis affecting Indigenous Victorians, particularly in the aftermath of the royal commission's findings.

This situation underscores a broader concern about the implementation of recommendations from inquiries and the effective delivery of culturally sensitive services to Indigenous populations. The failure to fund and establish the recommended healing centres represents a significant gap in the state's mental health support system for First Nations people. The ongoing toll of suicide among Indigenous Victorians, as represented by the 121 empty chairs, serves as a tragic testament to the urgent need for government action and investment in culturally appropriate mental health initiatives. The Indigenous health service continues to call for immediate and substantial government commitment to address this critical issue.