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

Veronica Nelson's mother among critics of Thirrili, which encouraged people to contact it if they didn't feel its support was adequate

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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.