World Suicide Prevention Day is a chance to share our grief about those we have lost to suicide, and to share the responsibility of preventing suicide.
Today provides a unique opportunity to collectively shine a light on suicide prevention both politically and at a community level.
But today should also be a call to action.
New modelling released today titled Turning Points: Imagine a World Without Suicide, a report commissioned by Suicide Prevention Australia and developed by KPMG, shows that suicide rates will grow up to 40 per cent over the next ten years without better prevention and earlier intervention.
This alarming projection is further proof of the urgent need for real action on suicide prevention in Australia.
The Morrison Government will have full support from Labor on their commitment to suicide prevention including through the Productivity Commissions inquiry and a new National Suicide Prevention Advisor within Prime Minister & Cabinet.
But the modelling released today makes it clear that productive and meaningful action must accompany this well-intended conversation.
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO, Nieves Murray has today said: Never before have we seen so much political attention focused on suicide prevention. Governments at a state and national level are focused and some are now calling suicide prevention a priority.
Labor agrees. And the Government will have full support from Labor in turning the attention into action.
Learn how to identify the signs that someone may be struggling on R U OKs website.For pointers on how to start safe conversations around suicide check the #YouCanTalk campaign here.To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY
10 September 2019