Broome’s Aboriginal-run ALIVE & Kicking Goals awarded for championing suicide prevention in the Kimberley

A Broome-based suicide prevention organisation run by young Aboriginal people has been recognised among the State’s best at the recent WA Youth Awards. Claiming the Life Without Barriers small organisation award, Broome’s ALIVE & Kicking Goals! Youth Suicide Prevention Program was founded in 2008 by the Broome Saints Football Club after players and coaches became determined to address the rising number of self-harm and suicide incidents among their teammates, families and community. Since then, the program has grown to eight staff, and has expanded its reach from Broome across the Kimberley. In the six months between July and December, and despite COVID-19, ALIVE & Kicking Goals! delivered 38 workshops, engaging with more than 450 participants in programs including a women’s reference group; alcohol, drugs and tobacco awareness workshops; men’s suicide prevention, and the Living Deadly program. The organisation was named the best not-for-profit at the Broome Chamber of Commerce Awards 2020 and a finalist in the WA Mental Health Awards 2020. ALIVE and Kicking Goals! team leader Kevin McKenzie said he had seen first-hand the impact that could be made when involving members of the community in suicide prevention initiatives. “When you have young Indigenous people driving the project, it creates a strong feeling of belonging and inclusion. The young people can relate to the people running it. It feels like a family,” he said. While the COVID-19 restrictions put a temporary hold on their face-to-face workshops, Mr McKenzie and his team made use of digital programs and assets that can be re-visited at any time. “Our DVD workshop on men’s suicide prevention and awareness features three Aboriginal speakers who talk about their experiences with depression, suicide, and help-seeking, and how they dealt with it,” he said. “While our Life Promotion Program is an educational DVD developed by local Indigenous women for young girls. These resources can be accessed at any time, for no cost.” The organisation was one of four finalists for the award, going up against men’s workshop Man Up, sexual assault support network Young Women Against Sexual Violence, and youth podcast YChats. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 224 636