Suicide Prevention Australia, the national peak body, welcomes today’s release of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy – an important milestone for the Albanese Government and a step closer to reducing suicide and distress across Australia.
The Strategy provides a crucial roadmap to drive coordinated, whole-of-government action to prevent suicide. Suicide Prevention Australia has long advocated for this reform, alongside the suicide prevention sector and people with lived experience who extensively contributed their time and expertise to shape this vital piece of work.
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO Nieves Murray commended the Albanese Government for listening to the sector and making suicide prevention a priority.
“Today marks an important milestone for people with lived experience of suicide, the suicide prevention sector, and the Australian community. This Strategy reflects years of advocacy, expertise, and lived experience voices calling for a national, coordinated approach to suicide prevention.
“Each year, over 3,000 Australians die by suicide, 55,000 people attempt to take their own lives and thousands more experience suicidal distress. The impact is devastating, but with the right policies and investment, suicide is preventable.
“This Strategy is a national plan to reduce suicide deaths and attempts by ensuring people get the right support before they reach crisis point. It recognises that workplaces, schools, social services, and everyday Australians all have a role to play in reducing distress and supporting those who are struggling.
“In practice, this means that more Australians will be getting more effective and timely help.
“We thank the government and the National Suicide Prevention Office for delivering this much-needed reform and acknowledging that suicide prevention must be embedded across all areas of government policy.
“Now, we need to ensure the momentum continues. With the right funding and implementation, this Strategy has the potential to save lives and create vital, lasting change,” Ms Murray said
The Strategy, which has been developed through extensive consultation, provides a framework to reduce suicidal distress, improve crisis responses and ease pressure on emergency departments.
The release of the Strategy comes as New South Wales recorded the largest monthly increase in suspected suicides in the last five years. The latest figures revealed a 56% increase in suspected deaths by suicide in November 2024 compared to the previous month.
“While the release of the Strategy is a major milestone, the next crucial step is ensuring it is properly funded and implemented.
“A strategy alone won’t save lives — what happens next will determine its success. We need clear investment and action to bring this Strategy to life and ensure the people and communities most at risk get the support they need, when and where they need it,” Ms Murray said.
Suicide Prevention Australia looks forward to working with the government and sector partners to ensure the Strategy is fully implemented and delivers meaningful change for all Australians.
In July last year, Suicide Prevention Australia published an Open Letter signed by over 40 organisations – including Lifeline, headspace, Black Dog Institute, Orygen, Gidget Foundation, and RUOK? – calling for the release of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy following numerous promises and budget commitments from the Federal Government.
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.
