The founder of LGBTI suicide prevention and mental health service Black Rainbow, says systemic racism has led to a lack of First Nations representation at a national level, which contributes to a high rate of suicide in Indigenous communities.
The comments come following media coverage around the recent release of a Medical Journal of Australia report on suicide, highlighting that of the 125 suicides in the Kimberley region between 2005-14, 70 per cent of individuals had never been referred to a mental health service.
Founder of Black Rainbow, Dameyon Bonson says systemic racism prevents the issue from being addressed by First Nations people.
