Before I begin, I want to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, the Ngunnawal people and pay my respects to Elders past and present.
I extend that respect to other First Nations people with us today.
Thank you Aunty Violet for your Welcome to Country.
I would also like to acknowledge those here today with lived and living experience of suicide.
Thank you Leesa for your heartfelt acknowledgement.
My thanks to our co-hosts – Nieves Murray, CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia, and Jo Briskey and Julian Leeser from the Parliamentary Friends of Suicide Prevention.
I also acknowledge my parliamentary colleagues here today.
It is an honour to have be re-appointed as the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
Every day in Australia, 9 people die by suicide and more than 150 people attempt to take their own life.
Every person lost has a profound impact on the people who love them, their family, friends and our communities.
And as we reflect on the loss of so many, our resolve only strengthens — because it does not have to be this way.
Before entering parliament, I was a mental health pharmacist working in a regional hospital.
What I came to understand over nearly 10 years was that preventing suicide and suicidal distress, would take all levels of government, services and communities working together.
All around us people are carrying the weight of responsibilities, pressure and expectation others may not see.
Adding to this weight may be homelessness, relationship breakdown, financial uncertainty, domestic and family violence, childhood trauma, or drug and alcohol dependency.
Suicide is complex which is why our government is taking a joined-up approach – working across health, housing, education, and social services to address the broader conditions that lead to suicide and suicidal distress.
Across government and communities, we are coming together to make meaningful change.
Earlier this year I had the privilege of launching Australia’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Our guide to build a comprehensive and compassionate system to reduce suicidal distress and save lives.
To plan, set priorities and targets.
And importantly, to be able to better monitor and report on progress in suicide prevention reform and identify what’s working well and areas for improvement.
To lead this work, I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Alex Hains as the Head of the National Suicide Prevention Office.
Dr Hains brings extensive experience in suicide prevention and a deep commitment to embedding lived experience into policy and practice.
Under his leadership, the office will drive the implementation of the strategy and work with governments, communities, and service providers to deliver real and lasting change.
Today, I am also pleased to announce that our government is investing a further $4 million over two years to continue the Suicide Prevention Research Fund.
The Suicide Prevention Research Fund aims to foster a better understanding of what works in suicide prevention, and how to effectively deliver services that support individuals, families and communities.
The SPRF has already supported 85 important research projects since 2018.
The Research Fund will continue to be managed by Suicide Prevention Australia, guided by expert researchers, service providers and people with lived experience of suicide.
We know that there are many social, economic and psychological factors that contribute to suicide.
Our government is addressing many of these drivers, including through a significant investment of $1.1 billion to support the mental health of all Australians.
This includes establishing an additional 31 Medicare Mental Health Centres, enhancing and expanding the headspace network and establishing a new network of 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres.
We are also investing in initiatives to support men’s suicide prevention. There are many groups doing great work to support men, and we are grateful to be learning from them about what works.
We want to encourage men to seek help when they need it, and also make sure services are adapting to better meet their needs.
A shout out to my colleague and friend, Dan Repacholi MP, Member for Hunter, who has been appointed Australia’s first Special Envoy for Men’s Health.
He is doing a great job highlighting the importance of men’s physical and mental health.
Improving the system of care is only possible with the support of people with lived and living experience of mental ill-health and suicide.
I’m so personally grateful for the advice and contribution that so many have so generously given.
I thank everyone for being here today and their commitment to preventing suicide.
Thank you.