ACT Health is to join a research trial into suicide prevention in an effort to improve services to people at risk.
The trial of the LifeSpan integrated suicide prevention framework is aimed at helping strengthen support services for people facing suicidal crisis.
Research Director for LifeSpan at the Black Dog Institute, Fiona Shand (pictured) said the framework built a safety net for the community by connecting and coordinating new and existing interventions and programs.
“According to the Black Dog Institute’s research, this integrated systems approach has the potential to prevent around 21 per cent of suicide deaths, and 30 per cent of suicide attempts,” Dr Shand said.
“It will include a strong voice from people with a lived experience of suicide, including family members and carers.”
Minister for Mental Health, Shane Rattenbury said the Government had allocated $1.545 million to establish the suicide prevention framework, which combined nine strategies for suicide prevention into one community-led approach.
Mr Rattenbury said this included improving emergency and follow-up care for suicidal crisis; equipping primary care to identify and support people in distress; improving the competency and confidence of frontline workers to deal with suicidal crisis; and engaging the community and providing opportunities to be part of the change.
He said the Government was committed to an integrated approach to mental wellbeing, suicide prevention and self-harm prevention that worked with the community as a whole.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 44 years, and the second leading cause for those aged 45 to 54 years.
Lifeline can be contacted on 13 11 14.
