Table 1 Final qualitative code book

Importance of SD_negative*

Discussions not in support of SD in community. ‘How important is it to talk about suicide in the community?’

Importance of SD_positive*

Indicating support for the need for SD in community. ‘How important is it to talk about suicide in the community?’

IND_fear of someone dying by suicide

Positive statement towards discussing suicide driven by fear of losing someone

IND_lived experience of losing someone to suicide_death

Positive towards discussing suicide based on the background of losing someone and wanting to prevent this grief for other individuals, families and communities

IND_suicide is an increasing issue

Positive statement towards suicide discussions given it is a growing issue

2. Barriers-Suicide Discussions

‘Potential barriers to discussing suicide in Aboriginal communities’ Categories consistent with the published literature

Accessing mental health services*

Statement suggesting previous contact with mental health services

ACCESS_negative

Statement suggesting contact with mental health service was negative

Culturally relevant mental health treatment*

‘Lack of the awareness of effective mental health treatments for Aboriginal people’

B_IND_negative general

Statement suggesting a general negative experience with accessing a mental health service

B_IND_perceived racism

Statement suggesting a negative experience due to perceived racism by health staff

B_Lack of awareness of cultural protocols*

Lack of awareness of the role of cultural processes and protocols when delivering mental health services for Aboriginal people

B_Lacked an awareness of Aboriginal mental health*

Barrier consistent with ‘lacked an awareness of Aboriginal conceptualisations of mental health’

B_No Aboriginal staff*

‘Lack of integration of Aboriginal clinicians and other Aboriginal colleagues into the mental health care of Aboriginal people’

ACCESS_positive experience*

Statement providing positive feedback about access to mental health

F_culturally relevant mental health treatment*

Mental health staff demonstrated an ‘awareness of effective mental health treatments for Aboriginal people’

F_Lack of awareness of cultural protocols*

Mental health staff demonstrated an awareness of the role of cultural processes and protocols when delivering mental health services for Aboriginal people

F_Lacked an awareness of Aboriginal mental health*

Mental Health staff demonstrated an ‘awareness of Aboriginal conceptualisations of mental health’

F_No Aboriginal staff*

‘Integration of Aboriginal clinicians and other Aboriginal colleagues into the mental health care of Aboriginal people was evident’

B- IND_Workforce issue

Indicating that aspects of the workforce present a barrier to discussing suicide

B_IND_workforce_need for self-care

Indicating need for self-care in the workforce

B_IND_workforce_training

Indicating workforce skill as a barrier to discussing suicide

B-IND_workforce_funding

Funding as a contributor to workforce issues

B-IND_workforce_time

Indicating time as a barrier

B-IND_workforce_training and development of Aboriginal community

Barrier recognising limited training to grow Aboriginal workforce

B-IND-workforce_cultural considerations

B_Absence of Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention initiatives*

Statement suggesting there is a lack of Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention initiatives and/or over-reliance on adapting non-Aboriginal programs for implementation in Aboriginal communities

B_Other*

Other barriers identified by community

B-Fear of discussing suicide*

B-Cause harm*

Statement that fear is driven by perception that SD may cause harm

B-IND_Fear _general

Statement describing a general fear of discussing suicide

B-IND_Fear of being removed from community

Statement supporting the belief that if unwell will be removed from community

B-IND_Feeling unable to provide appropriate information

Statement suggesting that feeling unable to support person if needed

B-Government policy*

Statement suggesting that government policies represent a barrier to discussing suicide

B-Powerlessness*

Statement supporting a perception of being powerless to provide support due to reason outside of their control

B-Racism experiences*

B-Shame*

Barrier to discussing suicide is shame brought to individual or family

IND_Shame_ being labelled as womba

Statement suggesting that individuals with a mental health issue are not well supported by community members

IND_Shame_isolation of people with mental health issues in community

Statement suggesting that individuals with mental health concerns are isolated and/or distanced from community

IND_Shame_not feeling supported by community re SD

Statement suggesting that the individual does not feel supported by others in the community to have SD

IND_Shame_on family

IND_Shame-experiences in education

B-Suicide viewed as an individual issue*

Statement supporting that suicide is an individual choice and it is not the business of others to intervene