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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-07-23 Daily Xml
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Suicide Prevention

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:40): My question is directed to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Will the minister update the council on what the state government is doing to advocate for suicide prevention in tertiary institutions?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:40): I thank the honourable member for his question. Every day in Australia more than eight people die by suicide.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Minister, sit down, please. The minister is answering a question that the Hon. Mr Dawkins has asked. I want to hear the answer to the question. The opposition benches, please listen in silence.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I thank the honourable member for his question on a very important matter. Each day in Australia more than eight people die by suicide, and it is estimated that a further 200 people will attempt suicide. Mental ill health is a critical factor surrounding suicidal behaviour, often combined with personal and social factors contributing to personal difficulties and social isolation.

National suicide accounts for more than 40 per cent of all deaths amongst young people aged between 15 and 24 years. The tertiary education suicide prevention group has been established to try to prevent suicides amongst a significant cohort of young people: tertiary students. It seeks to ensure that consistent recommendations relating to suicide prevention and advocacy are being provided to all South Australian tertiary institutions.

The recommendations provided by the group will help promote general mental health and wellbeing amongst students and administrators in the tertiary sector. I recognise the fact that representatives of the University of South Australia, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Adelaide, Flinders University, Torrens University, TAFE SA, Flinders Living, Student Accommodation Association and the City of Adelaide have attended and contributed to past meetings, promoting a collaborative approach.

The fifth meeting of the South Australian tertiary education suicide prevention group was held earlier this month. The group is currently working on how support can be provided to staff and students and the best models of training for various levels of staff. The group will also collaborate with community and non-university organisations to ensure consistent recommendations and referrals are provided across all sectors.

The University Mental Health Framework, being led by Orygen and set to be released in October 2020, will act as a guide to members. Currently, the group is in the process of recruiting two student reps with lived experience to participate in the meetings and discussions. The Premier's Council on Suicide Prevention voted to adopt the tertiary education suicide prevention group's terms of reference on 15 July 2020. The next planned meeting will be held in August and be undertaken virtually. The government is keen to support tertiary institutions in their work to identify solutions to barriers and issues that are compromising the health and wellbeing of staff and students.

Again, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the national leadership of the Hon. John Dawkins in the area of suicide prevention and also to wish the tertiary education suicide prevention group all the best in their endeavours.

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