‘I was shattered’: grieving First Nations families accused trauma support service of letting them down

Veronica Nelson’s mother, Aunty Donna Nelson, outside the Victorian coroner’s court in 2022. She says Thirrili employees did not turn up to appointments as arranged with her. Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAP

First Nations families grieving the loss of loved ones have accused a federally funded Indigenous suicide and trauma support service of failing to turn up to appointments, not responding to phone calls and not replying to financial support requests.

Guardian Australia has spoken to four First Nations families who have raised concerns about the service provided by the not-for-profit Thirrili, which provides financial, social and emotional support to Indigenous families affected by suicide and trauma.