Suicide Prevention on the Government’s Agenda
Suicide Prevention Australia applauds the Federal Government’s announcement of its increased investment in suicide prevention. “It is the first time that suicide prevention has been recognised as an issue in its own right, worthy of direct action, significant funding and attention across all areas of society” said Dr Michael Dudley, Chair of SPA.
To read more, click below.
Suicide Prevention on the Government’s Agenda
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Abbott Silent on Suicide
On Thursday 1st July, Suicide Prevention Australia has released a media release entitled 'Abbott silent on suicide'. Whilst SPA supports Mr. Abbott's planned spending for mental health, it also notes the absence of any suicide prevention measures or funding.
Abbott Silent on Suicide
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SPA Response to the Senate Inquiry into Suicide
On Thursday 24 June, the Senate handed down it's final report into Suicide with in Australia. Suicide Prevention Australi has released a media release acknowledging the recent Sentate Inquiry and submission into suicide in Australia.
SPA Media Release - Senate Inquiry
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SPA Position Statement - Crisis Response and the Role of Emergency Services and First Responders
2010-06-01 Suicide Prevention Australia launches a new position statement, Crisis Response and the Role of Emergency Services and First Responders, to address the need for immediate help to be available to those who are the first responders to suicide or suicide attempts in Australia, understanding that Australia needs to help those who help us.
Crisis Response and the Role of Emergency Services and First Responders
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Budget Reflects the Stigma of Mental Illness - Media Release
Suicide Prevention Australia has released the following media release in response to the 2010 national budget. It can be viewed by clicking here.
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Joint Submission to the Senate Inquiry into Suicide in Australia
2009-11-23: A conservative estimate puts the economic cost of suicide at $17.5 billion a year. That equates to around $795 per person annually, yet current spending on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy is just 91c per head. This figure doesn’t take into account the social, or human, cost of suicide, where grief and trauma can have long term and devastating affects on individuals and the communities touched by suicide.
The joint submission was prepared ConNetica Consulting on behalf of Suicide Prevention Australia, the Inspire Foundation, the OZ Help Foundation, the Mental Health Council of Australia, Lifeline Australia, The Salvation Army and, the Brain and Mind Research Institute, and supported by 59 organisations and individuals.
The joint submission will be made available to the public on the Senate Inquiry website soon.
Joint Media Statement
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Construction of Barriers on Northbridge
2009-09-22 Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) recognises the construction of barriers on Northbridge as a major positive contribution to suicide prevention in the local area, as well as potentially more widely.
Construction of Barriers on Northbridge
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SPA Position Statement - Mental Illness and Suicide
2009-09-11 Suicide Prevention Australia launches a new position statement, Mental Illness and Suicide, to address the complexities of the relationship between mental illness and suicide in Australia, paying due regard to the diversity of interests and challenges faced in tackling these national health issues.
Please click here to download the Position Statement Mental Illness and Suicide.
Mentall Illness and Suicide
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LIFE Awards 2009
2009-09-11 Suicide Prevention Australia is again set to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Australians to suicide prevention, intervention and postvention with its invitation-only gala event, the annual LIFE Awards. This year’s ceremony, which will be held on Friday 11 September 2009 at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, is expected to produce another outstanding array of winners from all walks of life.
LIFE Awards 2009
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SPA Position Statement - Supporting Suicide Attempt Survivors
2009-09-10 Suicide Prevention Australia tackles the complex issue of suicide attempt survivors with the launch of a new position statement, Supporting Suicide Attempt Survivors.
Please click here to download the Position Statement Supporting Suicide Attempt Survivors.
Supporting Suicide Attempt Survivors
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World Suicide Prevention Day 2009
2009-09-08 Suicide Prevention Australia marks World Suicide Prevention Day 2009 with a dynamic program of events in Western Australia. Cultural differences, the challenges of and triumphs over isolation, community-based prevention, intervention and postvention, and messages of hope will be the focal points for a series of upcoming events and activities hosted in Perth by Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) to coincide with this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2009.
World Suicide Prevention Day 2009
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SPA Position Statement - Suicide and self-harm among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Communities
2009-08-31 SPA supports the Living is for Everyone (LIFE) Framework developed under the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, and encourages the active development of specific strategies to advance issues relating to GLBT communities within this national framework for the prevention of suicide and self-harm in Australia.
Please click here to download the Position Statement on Suicide and self-harm among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Communities.
Suicide and self-harm among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Communities
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SPA Position Statement - Suicide Bereavement and Postvention
2009-05-22 Addressing one of Australia's major public health issues, Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) called for improved support and continuity of care for individuals bereaved by suicide with the launch of a new position statement at the 2nd Australian Postvention Conference in Melbourne.
Please click here to download the Position Statement on Suicide Bereavement and Postvention.
Suicide Bereavement and Postvention
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Suicide Statistics Not the Full Picture
2009-03-25 Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA), Lifeline Australia and the Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP) have welcomed the new ABS report on Causes of Death 2007, but have asked for caution when interpreting the statistics on suicide.
Suicide Statistics Not the Full Picture
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Joint Statement on Loss and Grief
2009-03-18 In an unprecedented response, eight of Australia’s helpline support service providers and peak bodies concerned with mental health and well-being and suicide prevention have joined forces to issue a consensus statement.
The statement urges all those touched by the range of natural and economic disasters affecting our country to realise they are not alone and help is available.
The group is also encouraging the media to place the most appropriate agencies for referral at the end of their stories, to assist the public in finding the most relevant help fast. With this in mind, they have prepared a short note explaining their roles to aid in ensuring people get the help they need, first time.
Joint statement on loss and grief
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SPA Position Statement - Responding to Suicide in Rural Australia
2008-09-10 Continuing its commitment to community awareness and public health advocacy, Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) has launched a new position statement addressing one of the priority areas of suicide prevention – rural suicide.
Please click here to download the Position Statement on Responding to Suicide in Rural Australia.
Responding to Suicide in Rural Australia
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SPA Position Statements - Indigenous and Men
2008-04-13 Suicide Prevention Australia tackles the critical issues of Indigenous and male suicide and self-harm with the launch of two new position statements.
Please click here to download the Position Statements on Suicide Prevention and Capacity Building in Australian Indigenous Communities and Men and Suicide – Future Directions.
Indigenous and Mens Position Statements
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Latest ABS Data
On the 31st March, 2010, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released its latest data on suicide statistics.
Suicide Prevention Australia responded with the media release below.
SPA Media Release - ABS data
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