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Thanks, Chris. Let me begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respects to elders past and present. And thank you, Tom, for your words.
Thank you to Minister Butler, who unfortunately, as he said, has just had to go, for giving us an update. I know the sector were particularly keen to hear an update on the next Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement and to reaffirm our commitment to an agreement that will challenge us and that will support the sector. So thank you, Mark.
To Jo Briskey and Julian Leeser, I think the way that you work together is a demonstration of the approach that we have in this place, the people’s place, of coming together to support people bereaved by suicide, to challenge ourselves to do more and to work in close collaboration with everyone in this room – clinicians, researchers, people with their own deep lived experience.
Thank you to Nieves, the CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia, to Dr Alex Hains, the head of our National Suicide Prevention Office for your tireless work.
I also want to acknowledge the Shadow Minister, Henry Pike, to Tom, the Deputy Chair of Suicide Prevention Australia, to Jo Kain, thank you, Jo, not just on World Suicide Prevention day, but every day, your courage and the contribution that you and others with lived experience are making to changing the way that we shape, the way that we introduce and the way that supporting carers provide, so thank you so much. And can you convey that gratitude to the others who contributed to your acknowledgement today.
Today's been set as a day for reflection, a day that we remember the Australians we have lost to suicide. And we stand with their families, their friends and the communities who continue to carry that loss. And we recommit ourselves individually and collectively to the work that needs to be done.
The statistics we've heard this morning are confronting. But behind every number is a person no longer with us, a family living with grief and a story left to be told by someone else. That’s why suicide prevention is not just a health priority for our government or this parliament, it’s a national priority, because even one life lost is one too many.
We know the causes of suicide, as Minister Butler has spoken about, are complex and individual – social isolation, trauma, violence, discrimination, and poor mental health can all contribute to distress.
For many people, these challenges don't occur, of course, in isolation. They grow and compound over time. It’s why our response must be comprehensive. It requires a whole of government, whole of community approach, and I acknowledge my friend Dan Repacholi, the Special Envoy, for the work he’s doing particularly within mental health in men and boys, with a particular focus on suicide prevention.
But we know that we have to focus beyond mental health to the factors that shape people's lives where they live, where they work, where they learn and their wellbeing. Governments have a responsibility, as Mr Butler has outlined. Communities have a responsibility, and each of us in this room has a role to play when it comes to preventing suicide. Because while governments can and do invest in services and shape policy, the most important suicide prevention happens close to home.
That's why our government is proud to support a new National Suicide Prevention Community Toolkit. This work has been developed and led by Dr Alex Hains, and I acknowledge Alex and his team in the National Suicide Prevention Office. The toolkit recognises that the most powerful action often occurs in communities. It provides a step-by-step support and resources to start conversations which will save lives. It recognises a simple truth: local people often know best what their community needs. Our role is to support them with the tools create safer, more connected and more supportive communities.
We also know some of the most important insights come from people with lived or living experience of suicide. Your courage in sharing your stories helps us better understand where systems are working, where gaps remain and what meaningful support looks like for individuals and families. It is important to remember that lived experience isn’t just testimony, it's expertise, which is why as we develop Australia's next National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, lived and living experience will remain central to shaping the policies, services and supports that all Australians rely on.
After working in mental health patient units for nearly a decade, I've seen first-hand the difference that earlier support can make. That's why I'm incredibly proud to be part of a government that understands the power of community-based prevention, recognises that early intervention is meeting people where they’re at and is investing a record $8.4 billion in mental health and suicide prevention this financial year alone. That investment includes crisis support services, aftercare programs, research, targeted prevention initiatives, Medicare Mental Health Centres and our new national digital service, Medicare Mental Health Check In.
But there will always be more work to do. That is why on World Suicide Prevention Day, I'm pleased to announce an additional $82.9 million to support 36 leading organisations and extend the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program for a further two years. This funding will provide more certainty to vital suicide prevention organisations, making sure that services continue uninterrupted while we work to align these programs while we work on the new National Suicide Prevention Strategy and continue our efforts to reduce suicide across Australia. It will support evidence-based suicide prevention initiatives, community education, research advocacy and frontline support services across the country.
Importantly, it will continue targeted support for groups who are more at risk, First Nations people, LGBTQIA+ Australians, veterans, young people and people living in regional and remote communities. This funding builds on the significant work already underway, from universal aftercare services, to stand by support after suicide distress- grief support programs, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives, ongoing funding for Lifeline, 13YARN, and Kids Helpline.
We also know that effective suicide prevention depends on strong evidence about what works. That is why our government continues to invest in life-saving suicide prevention research.
This morning, I am pleased to recognise 6 outstanding researchers as recipients of the latest Suicide Prevention Research Fund Awards, many of whom are with us today. Congratulations, and if you are here, can you please make yourself known. Nina Logan, Lan Shi, Zamantha Munoz Rodriquez and Kelly Smith-Simpson whose work will advance our understanding of youth mental health, social connection, digital intervention and school-based supports.
Congratulations also to Dr Simone Scotti Requena, who will examine the links between alcohol-related harm and men's suicide risk, and Dr Patricia Cullen, whose research will explore the intersection of domestic, family and sexual violence and suicide distress in women. To all of today's recipients, congratulations. Your work will help build the evidence base that informs better policy, better services, and most importantly saves lives. We know that this research and services funded today will save lives.
But we also know governments and services can’t do this work alone. The theme of this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day, as Ben said, is to change the narrative. Changing that narrative starts with reducing stigma, talking openly about suicide and reaching out to someone who is struggling.
And as Minister Butler mentioned, today for the first time we will illuminate Australian Parliament House in colours that he doesn't like, but globally say Suicide Prevention Day, yellow and orange – a tribute to those we've lost, a sign of support for those impacted, a reminder that conversation saves lives. One of the most powerful acts of suicide prevention is human connection. And as Mark has said, we also today mark R U OK? Day, checking in with a colleague, calling a friend, reaching out to a loved one.
I want to thank everybody who has been part of today. Thank you helping to shape communities with more connected support people and make sure that people can reach out when they need it. Thank you to Suicide Prevention Australia for your advocacy, expertise and compassion. And thank you to the Parliamentary Friends of Suicide Prevention for this whole of parliament [indistinct] and commitment.