In a powerful call-to-action, 31 Australians with a lived and living experience of suicide have today released an open letter calling on the Albanese Government to save more Australian lives by urgently prioritising suicide prevention in the final days of the federal election campaign.
Signatories include people who have lost loved ones to suicide, attempted suicide themselves, supported others through suicidal distress, and worked on the frontlines of suicide prevention. The open letter is a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a real person – and that the voices of those with lived experience must shape national decision-making.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised in 2022 that reducing suicide rates would be a personal priority. Yet, since 2022, Australia has seen the highest number of suicide deaths in New South Wales and Victoria in half-a-century of records according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and state suicide registers.
This group of people with lived experience are calling on Anthony Albanese to make that promise real — not an empty commitment.
Despite suicide being the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 44, the Labor Government has not committed any funding to suicide prevention this election or in the recent Federal Budget.
The letter calls on the government to urgently prioritise investment in suicide prevention, reinstate the Suicide Prevention Research Fund and commit to the implementation the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
“We want to see investment in suicide prevention specific programs that work, like peer-led support, aftercare, safe spaces and lived experience training. Not just investments in mental health. We want to see the Suicide Prevention Research Fund reinstated so we can continue to build an evidence base that reflects real-life experience. We want to see government fund the Strategy it has proudly released,” the letter reads.
“To every elected leader and candidate: you cannot say you care about suicide prevention if you won’t fund it directly. To the Australian community: we ask you to stand with those of us with lived and living experience of suicide and call for real commitment from the Government.
“We know what’s needed because we have lived it, and we continue to live it every day. Our experiences are painful, but they also give us strength and insight. And from that pain, we are determined to build a future where fewer people have to endure what we have.”
Jordan Frith, Lived Experience Representative, said suicide is a growing crisis and deserves more attention.
“It is deeply disappointing that the Commonwealth Government has decided not to invest in suicide prevention in meaningful ways. People with lived experience of suicide have been calling for more investment for decades. Suicide is a growing crisis in this country that deserves investment to match. This is why people with lived experience are urgently calling on the government to fund research and supports that work for our community,” said Jordan.
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO Nieves Murray said the open letter is a powerful and united call for action.
“People with lived experience carry unparalleled depth of knowledge and insight; they must not be ignored. There is urgency in what they are asking of our political leaders – and it’s time they were heard and their opinions respectfully considered.”
With more than 3,000 lives lost to suicide each year and distress levels rising, the letter is a timely reminder of what’s at stake – and a rallying cry for stronger, coordinated action.
ENDS
To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, phone 000 for emergency services.
Help to report about suicide safely is available online: Go to https://mindframe.org.au/
Media enquiries
Amelia Hew 0410 591 134 or ameliah@suicidepreventionaust.org
About Suicide Prevention Australia
Suicide Prevention Australia is the national peak body and we’ve been providing support for Australia’s suicide prevention sector for more than 30 years. We support and advocate for our members to drive continual improvement in suicide prevention policy, programs and services. Our reach is broad, including member organisations, governments, businesses, researchers, practitioners and those with lived experience. We are focused on an integrated approach to suicide prevention encompassing mental health, social, economic and community factors. We believe that through collaborative effort and shared purpose, we can achieve our vision of a world without suicide.
