SUICIDE PREVENTION

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. J.S. Lee (resumed on motion):

The Hon. J.S. LEE (17:39): I apologise to the council for being a bit emotional earlier on what is a very emotional subject matter. I thank you for your understanding in granting me leave to conclude my remarks. Some of you may not know that my family actually suffered a loss this week as well because our beloved aunty passed away. She passed away because of old age and deteriorating health. She was in her eighties. Her life was well celebrated, unlike Damian Kay's.

At this point, I would remind honourable members that 10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day. I would like to acknowledge people and families who have suffered loss through suicide and help raise the broader public's attention to one of the largest causes of premature and unnecessary death.

At the outset of my earlier remarks, I said that in Damian Kay's case the Kay family wanted the minister and the government to not only adopt the recommendation of the Coroner's report but to raise awareness about suicide. Suicide is one of the largest killers in Australia, yet it remains hidden and rarely talked about. Over the last 20 years, suicide has claimed the lives of approximately 2,500 Australians per year. At this level, suicide claims more lives than the national road toll, assaults and murders and more than Australia's national cancer: skin cancer.

In South Australia alone we lose approximately 192 lives each year, while nationally we lose an average of seven lives each day. Therefore, I believe that this motion is of the utmost importance in terms of raising awareness. The South Australian Liberals are committed to providing an approach focused on education, early intervention, communication and reporting. With one in four people now suffering from a mental health issue during their lifetime, it has never been more important to provide adequate support to turn the tide. With those remarks I pay my respects to and acknowledge the Kay family and commend the motion to the council.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. Carmel Zollo.