SUICIDE PREVENTION

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:30): I was pleased to note the article, 'Work together to combat troubling rates of suicide', published in the Stock Journal on 14 November. In the article, the Executive Director for Mental Health at Country Health SA outlined the detail of programs in our regions which help individuals struggling in their communities and those who have been bereaved by suicide. However, I found it unusual that the article failed to mention the state government's suicide prevention strategy, which was launched last year.

The strategy document sets out some worthy goals for the future, and I have been privileged to work with the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist in a number of community forums and in the development of local suicide prevention networks across the state. This office is doing excellent work in this area, despite its having very limited resources. If elected in March next year, a Liberal government will invest $500,000 annually into suicide prevention programs across the state. The Liberal team will work with community organisations to fund programs that help prevent suicide by educating people to identify those at risk and make sure they are provided the help they need.

Our commitment includes much needed support for the vital Lifeline telephone and online support service in both metropolitan and regional South Australia. We also value the work of many voluntary groups who focus on families bereaved by suicide, such as the Murray Bridge-based Silent Ripples. We also have a strong focus on assisting local communities to reduce the impacts of suicide in the manner that best fits that community.

As an example of the commitment, I recently participated in the 'Walk through the Darkness...and into the light' on Saturday 16 November this year, and that event was conducted in the lead-up to International Survivor of Suicide Day. I started the walk for suicide prevention at Tennyson at the early hour of 5 o'clock; other people started at the Adelaide Shores Sailing Club at West Beach, but each individual walk finished up at Henley Square at 6.30am for a remembrance ceremony and a breakfast.

I congratulate Anglicare's Living Beyond Suicide program for organising what was a moving event for a large number of families who gathered to remember and commemorate the life of a loved one who had been lost to them through suicide. I commend also the three Liberal candidates who came out with me at 5 o'clock in the morning on a Saturday: Joe Barry, the candidate for Colton; Liz Davies, our candidate in Lee; and Brad Vermeer, the candidate for Port Adelaide.

Like many ceremonies I have been to, it was important in the community's change of attitude about discussing these matters. Certainly, in the time I have been advocating suicide prevention I have seen an enormous change in the attitude in the community about discussing not only suicide but mental health issues in general, and I urge all in this place to support every effort to continue the community discussion.

In the work I do around South Australia in suicide prevention, I am very pleased to continue to work with a range of community-based organisations which, as I have said many times, operate on the smell of an oily rag. A new Liberal government will wish to support them with modest finances, but with support that can allow them to continue their valuable work.

I should mention the terrific work done by MOSH (Minimisation of Suicide Harm) Australia and the fabulous work that its founder, Jill Chapman, does. Also great credit goes to the people involved with the CORES Riverland chapter, who have been doing fabulous work in that region of the state. All I can do is urge every member to do all they can to prevent suicide in the community.