Suicide Prevention Australia is calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to release the long-awaited National Suicide Prevention Strategy before the federal election, warning that delays continue to put lives at risk.
The Strategy, which has been developed through extensive consultation and supported by service providers and people with a lived experience of suicide, provides a framework to reduce suicidal distress, improve crisis responses, and ease pressure on emergency departments. However, the Strategy remains locked up in government red tape.
This call comes as New South Wales recorded the largest monthly increase in suspected suicides in the last five years. The latest figures reveal that November last year saw a 56% increase in suspected suicide deaths compared to the previous month.
“Every day that passes without this Strategy in place is a missed opportunity to prevent suicide. Our community is hurting and we can’t afford further delays to the implementation of this Strategy,” said Nieves Murray, CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia.
“While the Prime Minister has made some strong commitments to strengthening our health system, it’s a piecemeal approach that does not address suicide risk in our community. Time and time again, suicide prevention is left out of the equation.
“Every year, 55,000 people attempt suicide, and without a National Suicide Prevention Strategy, people will continue to reach crisis point which places pressure on our hospital system. How many more lives must reach crisis point before real action is taken?
“The government needs to stop kicking the can down the road. We urge the Prime Minister to release the Strategy before the election,” said Ms Murray.
The suicide prevention sector has expressed serious concerns that the release of the Strategy could be delayed further due to the upcoming federal election and caretaker period, a time where government typically avoids any major policy decisions.
“The groundwork has been done. The consultation process has finished. The final Strategy is ready to go.
“The Albanese Government must release the Strategy and demonstrate commitment to systemic reform that prevents deaths by suicide in Australia.” said Ms Murray.
Suicide remains one of Australia’s leading causes of death. An urgent, coordinated approach is needed to ensure all Australians – no matter where they live – have access to the right support at the right time.
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.
