News

National peak body welcomes mental health funding announcement Australia is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic; we are witnessing significant structural change to the functioning of industries, communities and the Australian economy. Suicide Prevention Australia CEO, Nieves Murray, said … Read More

Response to David Leyonhjelm’s opinion piece in the Australian Financial Review Suicide Prevention Australia is wholeheartedly committed to policy reform that addresses the needs of vulnerable groups. We are not a government body. We are an independent national peak body … Read More

Appointment of Deputy Chief Medical Officer a step in the right direction for mental health   Australia’s national peak body for suicide prevention, Suicide Prevention Australia, welcomes the announcement of the first Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health. Suicide … Read More

Media Alert: Urgent action needed to prepare for potential increase in suicide rates Australia’s national peak body for suicide prevention, Suicide Prevention Australia, has responded to University of Sydney modelling indicating a 25-50% increase in suicide rates due to COVID-19 … Read More

Suicide Prevention Australia welcomes NSW Government funding Suicide Prevention Australia, the national peak body for suicide prevention, welcomed today’s announcement of a $73 million investment in mental health by the NSW Government. CEO Nieves Murray said that the investment in … Read More

Finding hope when the waters are muddy I’m sitting at home in the comfort of my library, my cats are purring beside me and the strong smell of coffee is wafting across my desk. For a moment everything feels quite … Read More

Suicide Prevention Australia welcomes the Australian Government’s decision to invest $74 million in mental health.  These measures will help relieve distress amongst our community at a time when we are faced with uncertainty. This funding is part of a $1.1 billion … Read More

SUICIDE PREVENTION AUSTRALIA CALLS FOR ACTION TO REDUCE DISTRESS IN THE WAKE OF COVID-19 Suicide Prevention Australia is calling on the government to fund support for gig workers, sole operators, and people at risk of financial stress during the COVID-19 … Read More

Christine Morgan is Australia’s first National Suicide Prevention Adviser and CEO of the National Mental Health Commission. She has been tasked with bringing together the Vision 2030 for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and reporting to the Prime Minister on … Read More

On Wednesday 11 March, Suicide Prevention Australia joined with the Black Dog Institute, Wesley Mission LifeForce, LGBTI Health Alliance, Australian Defence Force Centre for Mental Health, and Quality Innovation Performance Limited for the second in a series of consultations to … Read More

National Suicide Prevention Conference 2020 Cancelled Following extensive consideration, Suicide Prevention Australia has made the difficult decision to cancel the National Suicide Prevention Conference, Canberra on 20-23 July 2020. With the current advice from the Australian Government and the escalation … Read More

Research winners focused on saving lives: Suicide Prevention Australia announces new post-doctoral fellowships Suicide Prevention Australia is announcing four new post-doctoral fellowships funded through the Commonwealth’s Suicide Prevention Research Fund. From a wide variety of backgrounds and specialisations, these four … Read More

Do you know someone who is doing incredible work for suicide prevention? Nominate them for a LiFE Award today! Held annually, the LiFE Awards are the premier event in the suicide prevention sector to acknowledge and pay tribute to those … Read More

Suicide Prevention Australia is pleased to announce that the 2020 Diego de Leo address will be delivered by Hugh Mackay AO. Hugh Mackay is  a social psychologist, researcher and bestselling author of 21 books, including What Makes Us Tick, The Good Life and Australia … Read More

The Productivity Commission Inquiry into the Mental Health system presents an unmissable opportunity for reform. Taken together, the Commission’s Inquiry, the Commonwealth Government’s ‘Towards Zero’ ambition for suicide rates in Australia, the appointment of a National Suicide Prevention Adviser and … Read More

Suicide Prevention Australia is pleased to announce that early bird registration to attend the National Suicide Prevention Conference 2020 is now open! Register early to secure your spot and receive a discount on the full price of the conference. The … Read More

Suicide Prevention Australia, the national peak body for suicide prevention, has commended the decision by the Federal Government to appoint a permanent independent commissioner to investigate veteran suicide. Suicide Prevention Australia has been calling for immediate action on veteran suicide, … Read More

Suicide Prevention Australia has welcomed the announcement by Health Minister Greg Hunt to invest $64 million in funding for five key suicide prevention measures. The investment will include funding to support people who have made a suicide attempt and the … Read More

In the wake of the bushfire crisis, Suicide Prevention Australia is calling on Governments at all levels to fund a targeted mental health and trauma relief package for communities and first responders affected by the natural disaster. Suicide Prevention Australia … Read More

Suicide Prevention Australia is pleased to announce three new recipients of PhD Scholarships. The Scholarship supports research relevant to all aspects of suicide prevention and to develop a capacity for original independent research within Australia. Ms Debra Osborne from Swinburne … Read More

Peak body welcomes targeted funding for bushfire disaster recovery Suicide Prevention Australia, the national peak body for suicide prevention, welcomes the announcement by the Federal Government of $76 million in funding to support the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, … Read More

Applications closing soon for Innovation Research Grants Applications are closing soon for round 3 of Suicide Prevention Australia’s Innovation Research Grants. The Innovation Research Grant provides up to $100,000 in funding for researchers at all stages of their career and … Read More

Peak body calls for immediate action on veteran suicide Suicide Prevention Australia, the national peak body for suicide prevention, has joined calls for immediate action on veteran suicide, citing the lack of reliable data and delays with claims processing as … Read More

Trends in employment, relationships and rising consumer debt impacting suicide risk this decade A suicide prevention roundtable in Sydney tomorrow (Tuesday 3 December 2019) is set to debate and identify solutions and services to support people who may be at … Read More

Upskilling workforce key to driving down suicide rates Suicide Prevention Australia has welcomed the joint announcement by the Commonwealth and NSW Government to address regional workforce and mental health issues, while calling for a broader focus on upskilling the suicide … Read More

Suicide Prevention Australia gives evidence at Productivity Commission Inquiry Suicide Prevention Australia gave evidence at the Productivity Commission’s public hearing in Sydney. We supported the Commission’s recommendations dealing with whole of government collaboration, aftercare, and digital modes of improving access. … Read More

Applications now open for Innovation Research Grants Applications are now open for round 3 of Suicide Prevention Australia’s Innovation Research Grants. The Innovation Research Grant provides up to $100,000 in funding for researchers at all stages of their career and … Read More

Engage with your peak body on our policy committee We’re calling for expressions of interest to join our Policy Committee, which has a vacancy. The Policy Committee is a key source of policy and advocacy advice for Suicide Prevention Australia, … Read More

Your feedback needed on our policy positions Over the years, Suicide Prevention Australia has published issues papers, white papers and other material on a plethora of issues. We covered a lot of ground but, occasionally, this meant our position wasn’t … Read More

Peak body for suicide prevention welcomes Productivity Commission Mental Health draft report recommendations Suicide Prevention Australia, the national peak body for suicide prevention, has said the Productivity Commission draft report on mental health released today is further evidence Governments must … Read More

Innovation Research Grants announced by Minister Hunt Six Innovation Research Grants have been announced by Minister Hunt. This initiative is part of the Suicide Prevention Research Fund which Suicide Prevention Australia manages on behalf of the Federal Government. Congratulations to … Read More

Abstract Submissions Open – National Suicide Prevention Conference 2020 Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) is pleased to announce that you are now able to submit your abstracts for the National Suicide Prevention Conference 2020, taking place 20-23 July 2020 at the … Read More

Data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that 3,048 Australians died by suicide in 2018, which is 12.1 deaths per 100,000 people. This represents a fall of around 2.5% when compared to the data reported from 2017 (3,128 deaths by suicide).… Read More

On World Suicide Prevention Day 2019, we unveiled a pivotal piece of work that Suicide Prevention Australia developed with KPMG.

Turning Points: Imagine a world without suicide examines the emerging trends in housing, finance, employment and relationships and their likely effect on Australians in the coming decade.… Read More

Applications now open for Post-Doctoral Fellowships The Post-Doctoral Fellowship provides up to $300,000 in funding for successful applicants to further their research career. It aims to build research capacity and to develop research leadership across the spectrum of suicide prevention. Applications close … Read More

These are the results from an exclusive YouGov poll of over 1000 Australians commissioned by Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) in the lead up to World Suicide Prevention Day 2019 on 10 September.… Read More

SPA stands behind the Uluru Statement from the Heart As the peak body representing Members in the suicide prevention sector, Suicide Prevention Australia fully supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart. This landmark document captures the aspirations of Aboriginal and … Read More

Suicide Prevention Australia calls for focus on preventative services in response to ABS risk factors of suicide report The Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released the report, ‘Psychosocial risk factors as they relate to coroner-referred deaths in Australia 2017.’ … Read More

Community Prevention and ‘Lived Experience’ in Focus for Annual National Suicide Prevention Conference World renowned thought leaders, academics, clinicians, community and public health workers in suicide prevention are coming together in Melbourne to collectively develop a better understanding of suicide, … Read More

Applications now open for PhD Scholarships Applications are now open for Suicide Prevention Australia’s PhD Scholarships. The PhD Scholarship provides up to $105,000 to support outstanding graduates who are at the early part of their research career in suicide prevention. … Read More

The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health, on 15 June 2019 announced the four successful recipients of the first round Innovation Research Grants under the Suicide Prevention Research Fund. Read more about the researchers here.  

Special message from the new SPA Board Chair National Conference – new leadership brings change As you know, I was recently appointed Chair of the Board and I’m thrilled to be part of the next phase in the history of … Read More

Suicide prevention policy reform in the spotlight   Peak suicide prevention body, Suicide Prevention Australia, pushes for substantial policy reform during the launch of their National Policy Platform, which includes a call for a Federal Minister for Suicide Prevention. Suicide … Read More

Everymind announced as Principal Sponsor for National Suicide Prevention Conference Suicide Prevention Australia is pleased to announce Everymind will be Principal Sponsor of the National Suicide Prevention Conference 2019 being held 22-25 July in Melbourne. The annual Conference convened by … Read More

The Suicide Prevention Research Fund was established by the Federal Government to support research into suicide prevention. Suicide Prevention Australia manages the fund on behalf of the Federal Government with the support of the Research Advisory Committee. Suicide Prevention Australia … Read More

Suicide prevention leadership change Former Industry Super Fund Chair takes on leadership role with suicide prevention peak body. Melbourne-based, Ms Emslie has extensive experience as a Director and Chair of several organisations, most notably, she was the Independent Chair of … Read More

Suicide prevention gets the attention it deserves during the Federal Budget Wednesday 3 April 2019 In the 2019-20 Budget the Federal Government committed to a major investment in suicide prevention. Suicide Prevention Australia welcomes the $461 million investment in youth … Read More

NHMRC Ideas and Clinical Trials Grants – applications open Interested researchers, who are able to partner with an academic institution, can now apply for the NHMRC Ideas and Clinical Trials Grants. Applications will undergo a formal NHMRC review process and … Read More

United in Action to reduce suicide in Australia More than 3000 people die by suicide every year in Australia. Reducing this alarming number requires a deep understanding of causal factors, an effective service system and a whole of government response. Suicide … Read More

Four Australian research projects in four States will share in $2.3 million in grants from the Australian Government’s National Suicide Prevention Research Fund, Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) announced today. The Project Grants are the first to be awarded from Fund … Read More

Suicide Prevention Australia today announced the first recipients of Higher Degree Research Scholarships totaling $630,000 in Australian Government funding from the National Suicide Prevention Research Fund and additional funding support from Anytime Fitness and Regional Bank Australia. “Six PhD candidates … Read More

People researching or working in suicide prevention will be United in Action with people with lived experience of suicide at next year’s National Suicide Prevention Conference in Melbourne, Victoria. The annual conference unites more than 600 delegates over three days … Read More