This World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September), Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and for Ambulance Services Steven Miles and Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic are reminding Queenslanders that preventing suicide is everybody’s business.
“World Suicide Prevention Day is a time to remember people who have died by suicide, those who have survived suicide and those bereaved by suicide,” Mr Miles said.
“It is an important time to partner with people who have been affected by suicide to recognise and learn from their insights and to work together to reduce suicide risk in our community.
“It’s also about hope and a time to reflect on the work being done to prevent suicide and collaborate on new ways to take action.
“This time last year I launched Every life: The Queensland Suicide Prevention Plan 2019-2029, a whole-of-government plan created in broad consultation with non-government organisations, community partners, people with lived experience, and others.
“We have seen positive actions in the first year of this 10-year plan.”
“We have a deliberately ambitious target of halving suicide by 2026, and last years’ Budget backed that commitment with $80.1 million towards suicide prevention initiatives.
“Work is under way to create a Queensland Suicide Prevention Network, which will have its inaugural meeting this year,” Mr Miles said.
Commissioner Frkovic said every death by suicide was a tragedy with devastating and long-lasting impact on families, friends, colleagues, and communities.
“Suicide is a complex issue driven by a combination of risk factors rather than any single event,” he said.
“These risk factors include social isolation, unemployment and financial stress – factors that have increased due to COVID-19.
“But the pandemic has also prompted global conversations about mental health and wellbeing, and has seen the health sector pivot to online and telephone services, increasing access to remote and vulnerable communities.”
Mr Frkovic said the Queensland Government’s response to the pandemic had included an additional $76.8 million in funding to community mental health since April.
“The Queensland’s suicide prevention sector is working harder than ever to reinforce the prevention safety net,” he said.
“Help is available, and starting that difficult conversation may be the first step to saving a life,” Mr Frkovic said.
