News

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the Causes of Death data which includes the number of Australians who we have sadly lost to suicide. In 2018, 3,046 Australians died by suicide, a slight reduction from 3,128 in 2017. This equates to more than 8 people per day.

The ABS’ Causes of Death, Australia, 2018 report notes suicide dropped one place to 14th leading cause of death overall. Rates of mortality due to heart disease and cerebrovascular disease also decreased, however these remain among the leading causes of death in Australia.​​​​​​​

A delegation from Australia, including the Prime Minister’s Suicide Prevention Adviser, Ms Christine Morgan, attended a major international suicide prevention conference in Northern Ireland last week.

The Prime Minister’s National Suicide Prevention Adviser works across government and with relevant Ministers to improve the coordination and delivery of suicide prevention activities.

Delivering the world’s best mental health system — stigma-free and focused on prevention, starting with children under 12 — is the major focus of the Australian Government’s Long Term National Health Plan, outlined today.

The Australian Government will provide $21 million for 13 research projects that will focus on risk reduction, prevention and tracking of dementia.

The Australian Government is providing $5 million for ground-breaking research into the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of eating disorders.

The Australian Government has signed agreements with all 8 state and territory governments, Primary Health Networks and community organisations worth $229.2 million to deliver the first round of projects under the landmark $1.25 billion Community Health and Hospitals Program (CHHP)

The Australian Government is investing $400,000 in 4 innovative research grants to find new ways to protect people at risk of suicide and interventions to prevent suicide.