Today is World Suicide Prevention Day
It is a day to remember all those we have loved and lost in such a tragic way.
A day to celebrate all of those individuals who have survived their darkest moments and are still with us, and for them to feel proud of their endurance.
And a day we as a community can re-commit to working together to prevent further deaths.
Suicide prevention is a major public health issue nationally and internationally. The reality for Tasmania is that we have the second highest rate of male suicide and highest rate of female suicide in Australia. It remains the leading cause of death for people aged under 45. There are, on average, 70 confirmed deaths by suicide each year in Tasmania.
Data kept over recent decades shows that, while the suicide toll is not increasing, neither is it decreasing, despite the tireless work of many individuals, groups and organisations across the state.
But there is hope. Many suicides that may occur in the future can be prevented.
Places such as Scotland have been able to reduce their suicide toll by 20 per cent over ten years.
Trials have proven that well-funded and targeted suicide prevention strategies do save lives.
A new Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy and a Tasmanian Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy are currently being developed, with public consultations to occur in September and October of this year.
The Tasmanian Government has committed an additional $1 million per year over three years for suicide prevention, and we are optimistic this funding will make a difference.
The Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network has also been working at a broad level over the past three years to bring together organisations and individuals interested in suicide prevention.
We have more than 150 members now from all backgrounds: the community sector; private business; government representatives; and people who have lost someone to suicide or survived personal attempts.
We are working together to share concerns and ideas, to explore solutions, and to promote collaboration. The Network also implements a range of practical initiatives at a local level.
You often hear people say, ‘If someone wants to kill themselves, they are going to find a way to do it, no matter what.’
That may be true for a small proportion of cases, but most people who die by suicide do not actually want to die. They want to escape the incredible pain they are feeling. If they can receive help to get through that period of crisis, and ongoing support to get back on their feet, their life can be saved and they can go on to live meaningful, satisfying and purposeful lives.
There are many services out there that can help. But it can be difficult as a member of the general public to know where to look and who to talk to.
For this reason, the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network has created two documents to assist the public with this process.
This first is a list of crisis services you can contact if someone needs help immediately.
The second document is a directory of all of the suicide prevention services available in Tasmania.
These resources are available on our website – suicidepreventiontas.org.au – or you can phone our Network on 1300 364 277 and have a hard copy sent to you.
The Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network believes suicide prevention is everybody’s business. It’s up to all of us to take an interest in suicide prevention because we all have the capacity to make a difference.
One of our key activities is to support communities, of any shape or size, to create their own Suicide Prevention Community Action Plans.
Suicide Prevention Community Action Plans set out what initiatives a community will undertake to prevent suicide amongst its members. A community may be a geographic area, a sporting club or a workplace. The actions can be quite simple, such asbringing people together to encourage connection and promote the health and wellbeing of your community.
We encourage any community that is interested in developing a Community Action Plan to get in contact with the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network. Small grants will be available to assist communities in implementing their plans.
The Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network wants to make a collective impact on the issue of suicide, and we think many of you reading this piece will want to do the same.
And so today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, we want you to know who we are, and invite you to join us.
To contact the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network please call 1300 364 277, or visit suicidepreventiontas.org.au for further details. The Network is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, and auspiced by Relationships Australia Tasmania.
To talk to someone about suicide please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or visit suicidecallbackservice.org.au
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