When Founding Director and Inaugural Chief Executive Adele Cox first started having conversations about the idea and concept of a not-for-profit organisation that could lead the way in addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention and postvention, she had a conversation with her Aunty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO, who suggested the term Thirrili. This symbolised the nature of the work that had to be done, but it also acknowledged the cultural links and lineage of Adele who is a Bunuba and Gija woman.