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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-05-25 Daily Xml
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Suicide Prevention

Mr GEE (Napier) (14:55): My question is to the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. How can suicide prevention networks improve the mental health and wellbeing of communities in South Australia?

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:55): I would like to thank the member, and my neighbouring MP, for his question and concern about suicide prevention networks in South Australia. The South Australian government is committed to supporting the establishment of many local suicide prevention networks across the state. The suicide prevention networks help unite communities to prevent suicide and to support people and their families who are affected by suicide.

Currently, there are 10 established networks within regional and metropolitan South Australia and, as part of the election commitment, the South Australian government allocates $150,000 annually to assist the development of suicide prevention networks across the state. SA Health works with interested communities in developing suicide prevention action plans in regions, and each region is linked to local governments. Networks are comprised of many people from all sectors of the community who participate equally.

As part of these examples, I would like to mention the meeting I had recently with David Copley, CEO of Pangula Mannamurna in Mount Gambier, who works closely with the Treasuring Life suicide prevention network. Treasuring Life is a network that is specifically empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the South-East. They work on areas such as prevention programs, culturally appropriate activities, early intervention programs and linkages with postvention support—an incredibly important but emerging area. Treasuring Life's mission is to change how local communities live with suicide and mental health by reducing shame, encouraging health and celebrating lives.

Each and every network in our state is providing their own unique implementation plans and tailoring them to their local communities. Their lived experience and knowledge of their community is invaluable to our work in this area. Suicide prevention networks are an initiative that I encourage all members of the house to become involved in and participate actively in.

I know the member in the other place, the Hon. John Dawkins, works extensively with these communities and does exceptional work alongside all of us interested in mental health, and I acknowledge his commitment to this space. These networks help empower communities to work together to ensure lives are not lost to suicide. Every life lost in this area is a tragedy to our state, our families and our communities.

There is more information regarding the suicide prevention network strategies and their work on the SA Health website www.sahealth.sa.gov.au, but I would like to also particularly acknowledge the work of the Treasuring Life team and all the contributions they make to all the networks across the state to improve the wellbeing of all of our local communities.

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