ASSISTANT MINISTER EMMA MCBRIDE: Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, we stand in recognition of those 3000 Australians we lose each year to suicide. Remember their families, their friends, and the community that feel the lasting impact of this loss, which is why the Albanese Labor Government is proud to commit another $82.9 million to suicide prevention through our National Suicide Prevention and Leadership Program, supporting leading organisations like Suicide Prevention Australia in their evidence-based work that is having an impact right around of the country.
This work will support 36 programs including the work of R U OK? And today we mark R U OK? Day, encouraging conversations to save lives. We also support the work of MATES in Construction, and importantly the work of Mental Health First Aid Australia. They've already trained 1.6 million Australians to recognise the symptoms to have a conversation and to help someone to be able to seek the right kind of support.
JOURNALIST: You mentioned some of the funding going to particular organisations. Can you talk about some of the programs it'll fund?
MCBRIDE: Important funding going today to R U OK?. R U OK? Day we mark today as well on 10 September right around Australia. Important program to help people to have those conversations in a safe way, to feel confident to be able to support people in classrooms, in playgrounds and in communities, and to change the narrative around suicide and suicide prevention. The funding will also go to MATES in Construction who do incredible work on job sites right around the country with toolbox chats, helping people, particularly men who we know are disproportionately impacted by suicide, to have those conversations with their mates in a safe place, and to be able to support one another.
This funding will also go to more rural and remote programs because we know the uneven impact of suicide in the more remote communities, and especially for those 7.4 million Australians who live outside our capital cities, funding including going to Wesley. for the work they do in suicide prevention and postvention.
JOURNALIST: And you are illuminating the Parliament. Can you tell us why you decided to do that?
MCBRIDE: This is really historic. For the first time in Australia, we will be illuminating the facade of the Parliament at dusk this evening, standing with the families and friends and communities of those nine Australians who died by suicide each day, of the 150 who attempt to take their own lives, and the tragic loss of more than 3000 Australians each year. The focus or the theme of this year's World Suicide Prevention Day is changing the narrative. This is to break the stigma, to encourage safe conversations and to provide support to Australians right around the country.
JOURNALIST: And lastly, what's your message to people today?
MCBRIDE: My message as the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, but more importantly as a pharmacist who worked in inpatient units for so many years who saw distress escalate to crisis, simply because people didn’t have support sooner, is if you notice someone, a friend or colleague or family member that just doesn’t seem themselves, have that conversation. It can be confronting, but it can also save a life.