The Turnbull Government will provide a $47 million boost to front-line services for suicide prevention and directly address a growing community need.
Services will be available right across Australia and will include training for at risk families and support groups, face-to-face support for individuals in need, training for emergency response services and support for communities experiencing specific issues.
A series of communication programs will also be launched to provide tools and support to people and families most at risk.
Investments in research will also be made to ensure these programs are providing the best support possible to meet the intended need.
Among the 17 groups receiving funding are R U OK?, Mates in Construction Australia, Suicide Prevention Australia, United Synergies, Mindframe and Orygen.
Many of these organisations are respected household names – and this funding will help them to continue their important work.
Mental health is a matter very close to my heart and preventing suicide in our community is a matter of national importance.
I have met many families touched by suicide and their experience and stories is driving my determination to achieve real change.
Under the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program, more than $43 million will be allocated to 16 projects over a three year period to June 2019.
We will also provide $3 million to the Black Dog Institute to support our 12 National Suicide Prevention Trials being established around the country.
This funding will enable the Black Dog Institute to develop and implement community specific strategies within each prevention trial site.
We will also provide $1 million to specifically support mental health and reduce suicide in the health workforce.
Black Dog, in conjunction with Orygen, United Synergies and the Hunter Institute, will work with the AMA to determine the best way to provide these services to those in need.
We know that there are many people working in the health sector who are themselves battling mental health problems.
We want to make sure there is help available to these people who spend their whole working lives helping others.
Each year over 3000 Australians take their lives. This is a statistic we must reverse and as a community we must do all we can to turn the tide.
(ENDS)