The Federal Budget has left the suicide prevention sector stunned and concerned with the revelation that the newly formed National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO) is set to be absorbed into the machinery of government. This signals a step backward for suicide prevention efforts in Australia at a time when we know Australians are doing it tough amidst a cost-of-living crisis.
The latest Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker revealed a record half of all Australians nationally are now reporting elevated cost-of-living and personal debt distress (50%). Cost-of-living and personal debt was also the main cause of elevated distress amongst Australians reporting suicidal behaviours (58%), as well as from those seeking help from frontline suicide prevention services (54%), particularly clinical services (64%).
As the peak body for suicide prevention, we are pleased to see a suite of cost-of-living relief measures announced in the budget including energy bill relief, an increase in commonwealth rental assistance for those on low incomes, a medicines cost freeze and changes to the indexation on student loans.
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO, Nieves Murray said, “A clear omission in the budget is direct investment into crisis support services to manage the distress already being felt in our local communities.
“We also cautiously welcome the establishment of a national low intensity digital mental health service that is free of charge and free of need for referral.
“The digital service will be designed so people can get support before their health needs escalate to requiring higher-intensity services such as a mental health treatment plan, acute in-patient service or a crisis line.
“Building a stronger suicide prevention workforce has been bolstered with money allocated to primary health networks to fund the appointment of mental health nurses and other allied health supports to provide free care and coordination in-between GP and specialist appointments.
“More still needs to be done to sufficiently grow and strengthen the suicide prevention peer workforce.
“Groups that are disproportionally impacted by suicide received some measures but LGBTIQA+ communities were not adequately addressed in this year’s budget.
“We are buoyed by the reference in the budget papers to the National Suicide Prevention Strategy public consultation. We are looking forward to this important step towards the release of a 10-year roadmap for suicide prevention,” said Ms Murray.
Suicide prevention and mental health highlights include:
$888.1 million over 8 years for mental health and suicide prevention, including responding to the Better Access evaluation, this includes:
- $588.5 million over eight years (and $113.4 million per year ongoing) to establish a national low intensity digital mental health service that is free of charge and free of need for referral
- $35.9 million over four years to extend terminating mental health measures (including the previously announced extension of the TRISP program), to enhance the delivery of mental health and suicide prevention services and to provide greater funding certainty for service providers
- $7.1 million over four years to build and support the lived experience peer mental health workforce, through the establishment of a national professional association for peer workers, delivery of a workforce census and the exploration of further training pathways
- $29.9 million over four years from 2024–25 to uplift Head to Health services
ENDS.
To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, phone 000 for emergency services.
