SANE WELCOMES RELEASE OF DRAFT NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION STRATEGY

SANE supports Tuesday’s release from the National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO) draft Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy which proposes a fundamental change in the way we think and act on suicide prevention, highlighting the emphasis on accessible digital interventions, peer support and reduction in stigma.

Each day, approximately nine Australians die by suicide, and 150 people make a suicide attempt. People living with severe or complex mental illness and trauma face a significantly higher risk of suicide and suicide ideation, with more than 60% of suicides associated with a diagnosed mental or behavioural disorder ^[1].

The NSPO's strategy proposes two key domains of action:

1. Understanding and preventing suicidal distress in our community
   This aims to improve community well-being by offering stronger support systems for individuals experiencing suicidal distress, focussing on reducing health risks, addressing mental health issues related to financial strain, combating loneliness and social isolation, and helping individuals navigate life’s challenging transitions. These can affect anyone, but for those with complex mental health needs, these circumstances can amplify existing suicidality and make it even more difficult to access support.
2. Understanding and supporting those with suicidal distress in our community, and their support networks
   These recommendations focus on reducing the stigma around suicide, increasing understanding of and access to supportive resources, strengthening suicide prevention skills, and ensuring responses are trauma-informed and empathetic.

SANE strongly supports this new person-focussed approach, which we hope will create a more effective suicide prevention system that goes beyond just crisis support, to providing long-term care coordination and strengthened personal support networks.

One area which SANE particularly supports is the use of new digital technology as a way of overcoming existing barriers to personalised crisis care. We were delighted to see mention of increasing availability of therapist-supported and self-guided digital services and tools. 

Investment into this scalable option will not only reduce suicide risk, but it will also enable will foster human connection, integrate family support, and ethically collect valuable data, all while improving recovery and quality of life. These scalable digital tools can play a vital role in ensuring continuity of care across the country, and SANE welcomes the strategy's focus on this critical need.

Finally, SANE is encouraged by the collective advocacy across the mental health sector, which has led to this comprehensive approach. The inclusion of lived experience voices reflects the Government’s commitment to listening and ensuring that those most affected are part of the solution. As a lived experience organisation, SANE remains dedicated to partnering with the sector and amplifying these voices in the ongoing reform of mental health services.

References

[1] Causes of Death, Australia, 2022 | Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au)