SUICIDE PREVENTION STRATEGIES NEEDED NOW

29 September 2017

Labor welcomes the opportunity to meet with mental health service providers as the Perth South region prepares to participate in a suicide prevention trial site.

Local Member of Federal Parliament Madeleine King has convened a suicide prevention round table with Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health, Senator Deborah O’Neill, to hear from community stakeholders ahead of Rockingham and Kwinana becoming a suicide prevention trial site.

“Last year there was an average of eight deaths by suicide every day in Australia,” Ms King said.

“This is a shocking reality and we need to work with the community on ways to turn these figures around.

“During the election Labor committed to establishing 12 suicide prevention trial sites because this was a recommendation put forward by the National Mental Health Commission.”

Senator O’Neill said she welcomed the opportunity to meet with mental health service providers ahead of Rockingham and Kwinana becoming a suicide prevention trial site.

“Labor is pleased the Government adopted our commitment to roll out 12 suicide prevention trial sites. It appears the Turnbull Government is well behind on much of the preparatory work that is required as the 12 suicide prevention trial sites are now more than one year into the three year trial.”