Suicide Prevention

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:14): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, representing the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, questions about suicide prevention funding.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: The government has in place the South Australian Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy, the SA Health Primary Prevention Plan 2011-16, the SA Health Service Framework for Older People and the South Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy 2012-2016. These policies are all intended to add to the effort to reduce deaths caused by suicide in South Australia.

My question is: will the minister provide a breakdown of funding and effort the government has provided to implement the SA Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy, the SA Health Primary Prevention Plan 2011-16, the SA Health Service Framework for Older People in relation to suicide prevention, as well as that relating directly to the South Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy 2012-2016?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:15): I thank the honourable member for his important question and his ongoing activism in this area. It is a very important policy area on suicide prevention and our programs as a government. I undertake to take the question to the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the other place and seek a response on his behalf.