Messages of hope on World Suicide Prevention Day
A thousand people registered for Suicide Prevention Australia's webinar today, listening to messages of hope and progress in the on-going fight to get closer to the Government’s quest for zero-suicide.
With 3000 taking their lives each year, 75% of them male, and more people presenting with suicide ideation and self-harm, most would acknowledge there’s a long way to go.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison opened the SPA webinar on World Suicide Prevention Day 2021, emphasising the importance of a whole-of-government, whole-of-community response to suicide prevention.
“We know this is a big job, we know this is an ambitious goal to prevent suicide, but what other goal would you have in this area?” asked the PM.
Mr Morrison said the pandemic had tested Australians, but no person had to face the challenge of a mental health crisis alone.
“We need to find our strength in each other. We’re making the investments because we want them to work and make an impact.
“Prioritising suicide prevention gives us permission to imagine a world without suicide. Imagine a world where a young person does not see suicide as their answer, it’s a worthy goal.”
READ: Minister commits to male suicide funding at men’s health event
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO Nieves Murray launched the organisation’s new Instagram campaign inviting people to share images of hope with the hashtag #65000reasons in recognition of the numbers who attempt suicide each year.
“There is no better time for suicide prevention reform,” she declared, later releasing the organisation’s 2021 State of the Nation suicide prevention report, which showed an 84% increase in demand for health services.
DOWNLOAD: STATE OF THE NATION IN SUICIDE PREVENTION 2021
Commenting on the findings, MP Julian Leeser, who lost his father to suicide 25 years ago, said the lived experience of people touched by suicide was critical to understanding and formulating suicide prevention strategies.
He also underlined the importance of aftercare programs for anyone who has made an attempt on their life, bespoke, localised programs for at-risk groups and a bigger take-up of suicide first aid programs.
“We need to get every Australian through a workplace arrangement to undertake one of those courses. What are the signs somebody might be contemplating taking their own life and what can you do as a citizen to help?”
The Hon David Coleman MP, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, said: “We need a cross sector, whole of government approach,” with Government investing in suicide prevention initiatives and post intervention services.
“We know locally led, tailored solutions work,” he said, emphasising the importance of equipping Primary Health Networks with the “tools they need to drive down suicide rates in their area.”
Professor Pat Dudgeon, Director of the UWA Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention opened the webinar, commending SPA as a strong, inclusive advocate, and said lived experience “was essential to any discussions on suicide prevention.”
Half a century ago suicide was unknown among Indigenous people, she said. Now, it is the second leading cause of death for Indigenous males.
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