World Suicide Prevention Day

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and all Tasmanians are being reminded of the importance of taking action to prevent suicide.

We all have a role in helping to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.

Suicide is a significant issue in Tasmania and across the nation.

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

Since being elected, an additional $3 million has been committed to a range of targeted and proactive suicide prevention initiatives.

Consultation on three new suicide prevention initiatives will be happening throughout September and October.

The consultation process aims to find out priorities for inclusion in the new Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy, the new Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy and the new Suicide Prevention Workforce Development and Training Plan.

The Government recognises that effective suicide prevention requires a community-wide response.

Working with the community sector, we are progressing initiatives to improve early intervention referral pathways and to improve access to information that will help us understand the needs of Tasmanian communities.

This will help us better target suicide prevention strategies.

To keep up to date with the progress of these and other suicide prevention initiatives in Tasmania visit www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/suicideprevention

If you need immediate assistance or support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

For further information about mental health and suicide contact the SANE Australia helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) or www.sane.org or www.lifeline.org.au or talk to your local GP, health professional or someone you trust.
Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health