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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-09-10 Daily Xml
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Suicide Prevention

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:48): My question is directed to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: Give it to Ridgy.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: Are you right there? Will the minister update the council on the initiatives the government has in place that align to the theme of this year's World Suicide Prevention Day?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:48): I thank the honourable member for his question and I pay tribute to the important work that he has put into this important area of public health policy over many years. Suicide is always a tragedy. In Australia, it claims far too many lives, with the number of Australians taking their own life greater than our national road toll. Each suicide touches many more Australians through affected families, friends, work colleagues and communities.

The Marshall Liberal government is strongly committed to supporting suicide prevention. The Premier has appointed his own advocate in the area and an advisory council. We welcome the Morrison Liberal government's recent declaration of a zero target for suicide in Australia, together with the appointment of a National Suicide Prevention Adviser, Ms Christine Morgan. The honourable member's question is particularly appropriate, given that today is World Suicide Prevention Day and the theme is 'Working Together'.

The very nature of suicide, as well as its far-reaching implications, means that working together to prevent suicide is critical. Everyone is able to make a difference in raising awareness, breaking down stigma and encouraging conversations. Further reflecting the need for this collaborative approach, the Marshall Liberal government is working towards zero suicide through the Premier's Council on Suicide Prevention, the Issues Group on Suicide Prevention and the South Australian suicide prevention networks, along with a host of community groups and service clubs.

In concrete terms, the Marshall Liberal government has committed $2.5 million to support South Australian suicide prevention networks and SA Health has used this to facilitate a network of networks. A further seven Wesley LifeForce suicide prevention networks are supported by SA Health, with advice and funding through the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist. The networks are run by volunteers who work to raise awareness and break down stigma, to start life-saving conversations in their communities, to bring education and training to their communities and to link those bereaved by suicide to support services.

Providing a more formal structure for engagement with suicide prevention, the Life in Mind National Communications Charter outlines a unified approach to mental health and suicide prevention in pledging to enact eight core principles. They are:

making mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention a priority issue;

using appropriate, person-centred and respectful language in all communication;

sharing nationally consistent information and messages;

working together to maximise our efforts and resources;

using the charter as a guide for strategic communications, advocacy and awareness raising;

acknowledging those with lived experience of mental ill health or suicide;

respecting the diversity of experience of those affected by mental ill health or suicide; and

promoting crisis services and help seeking information.

I understand the Premier has personally signed this charter, along with the Premier's Advocate for Suicide Prevention, the Hon. John Dawkins, and members of the Premier's Council on Suicide Prevention. Following shortly after World Suicide Prevention Day—which is today—we have R U OK? Day on Thursday 12 September.

Many organisations will hold events, including morning teas and information-sharing sessions, to help start important conversations around mental health and wellbeing. I encourage all members of the chamber and members of the community to check in on someone you may not have seen for some time, remembering the theme of this year's World Suicide Prevention Day is 'Working Together to Prevent Suicide'. Each of us can make a difference.

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