Suicide Prevention Strategies

The Liberal Government is committed to supporting targeted and proactive suicide prevention strategies.

We are delivering on our election promise to invest $3 million in additional funding to reduce the number of deaths by suicide.

Today, I attended the Lauderdale Football Club President’s Luncheon, which this year aims to raise awareness and support for the work of beyondblue and Stay ChatTy.

These organisations do tremendous work in raising suicide awareness and providing support to those experiencing depression.

It was an honour to present the Stay ChatTy Cup to the winner of the Under 18 match between Lauderdale and Clarence today.

The Stay ChatTy Cup was founded last year after the club’s Ty McPherson tragically took his own life.

The Liberal Government is investing $3 million to:

• Develop a Youth Suicide Strategy together with Youth Network of Tasmania;
• Analyse suicide ‘hotspots’ to reduce risks if places are known for repeat suicides;
• Assist local communities to implement Community Suicide Prevention Plans;
• Establish early intervention referral pathways;
• Deliver suicide prevention awareness training to persons in key occupations; and
• Ensure Tasmanian researchers can access information needed to allow in-depth analysis of Tasmanian suicides, to better target prevention strategies.

Every life lost to suicide comes at a huge personal cost to families, friends, communities and sporting clubs.

We recognise that suicide is a complex issue and any effective suicide prevention needs a community-wide response, which is why events like today are so important.
Will Hodgman, Premier