Time to Act on Male Suicide (National)
The Australian Men's Health Forum is calling on the Government to develop a national plan to prevent male suicide.
In a new report published launched in June 2023, AMHF urges the Commonwealth to review the $1.8 billion of funding allocated in the 2022 National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement and also to consider why this funding agreement identifies 15 priority populations but doesn't target men as a priority group.
The report says services and programs that are funded have a poor record of reaching men, who account for 3 out of 4 deaths by suicide in Australia.
It supports the view of Suicide Prevention Australia, who says: "Male suicide is an issue requiring targeted policy and funding attention by all governments."
The National Suicide Prevention Office is currently consulting on the Government's Suicide Prevention Strategy. With men accounting for 75% of all suicides in Australia, we recommend that the Government develops a Male Suicide Prevention Action Plan. This recommendation aligns with the findings of the 2021 National Suicide Prevention Advisor, Christine Morgan, who called on State and Territory Governments to review their existing services and identify specific actions that tackle male suicide.
Read the petition:
YES I SUPPORT ACTION TO PREVENT MALE SUICIDE IN AUSTRALIA
To the Honourable Anthony Albanese, MP, Prime Minster of Australia
Dear Prime Minister,
Suicide currently kills six men a day in Australia, and is the leading cause of death in men under 55. 3 in 4 suicides are male; please target support and funding toward men at risk by launching a Male Suicide Prevention Action Plan for Australia.
<- YOUR COMMENT WILL BE ADDED HERE ->
Sincerely,
Australian Men's Health Forum Supporter