Suicide Prevention Australia welcomes the release of the Final Report of the Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
The report calls on the Australian Government to implement reform to address mental health, suicidality, and social and emotional wellbeing, exacerbated by successive natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO Nieves Murray said, “This marks a milestone for ongoing suicide prevention reform with 44 recommendations including a permanent parliamentary committee.
“We worked with our members to ensure the Committee understood the need for a whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention and gave evidence to the Committee earlier this year.
“A recommendation providing legislative authority to the National Mental Health Commission to independently monitor and report could form part of a much-needed Suicide Prevention Act.
“Given suicide isn’t just a mental health issue, the Government needs to coordinate funding and build suicide prevention policy into their decisions about issues as diverse as housing, employment, and helping people to build healthy social connections.
“A whole of government approach to suicide prevention means that every part of government plays a role in reducing distress and suicide in our communities.
“We welcome the recommendations focused on accessibility of services, long-term funding certainty and sustainable workforce development.
“The report recognises the central role lived experience in policy development and the importance of developing a lived experience peer workforce.
“We’ve been working across our sector to deliver an accreditation program for suicide prevention and this report recognises the need for quality, evidence-based practice.
“We are pleased to see that key recommendations focus on priority cohorts, including LGBTQI+ communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“The Final Report makes important recommendations for the Australian Government to consider alongside its ongoing response to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry and the Final Advice of the Prime Minister’s National Suicide Prevention Adviser.
“It’s heartbreaking to know that over 3,000 people die by suicide each year and we can never underestimate the impact that every life lost to suicide has on family, friends, workplaces and the broader community.
“It’s important to remember, you do not have to go this alone. Help is always available no matter who you are or what situation you are in. If you are feeling distress, please reach out and access the various support services that are available.
“We will continue to advocate for smart and achievable suicide prevention solutions in consultation with our members so that we can shift the suicide rate down,” said Ms Murray.
The Final Report of the Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention was released on 2 November 2021.
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:
Clare Kinsella 0427 689 689 or clarek@suicidepreventionaust.org
Amelia Banks 0410 591 134 or ameliab@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 25 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