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eNews April 2021
Welcome to the April 2021 edition of Life in Mind eNews.
This has been a big week for the suicide prevention sector with the release of the Final Advice from the National Suicide Prevention Adviser and the announcement of the Royal Commission into veteran and serving defence personnel suicide in Australia.
Many within the sector have also been tuning into the Suicide Prevention Symposium hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia this week, bringing together national and international colleagues and sharing new data, research and practice.
Next Tuesday, 27 April, the National Mental Health Commission will be holding a free online briefing with National Suicide Prevention Adviser Ms Christine Morgan and members of the Taskforce to unpack the recommendations in the Final Advice. You can find details of this event below.
National Suicide Prevention Adviser's Final Advice
On Monday, National Suicide Prevention Adviser Ms Christine Morgan publicly released the Final Advice to Government after 18 months of research and engagement with Australians. Presenting the Final Advice, Ms Morgan said a “seismic shift” was needed in suicide prevention, which would require a whole-of-governments approach.
The Final Advice consists of three connected reports detailing key enablers and key shifts to drive this connected and compassionate change.
Join members of the National Suicide Prevention Taskforce as they unpack the eight recommendations in the Final Advice with a focus on WHY the Taskforce recommends the requirement of a whole of governments approach; WHAT a shift in focus really means and HOW we can all act on the Advice to help save lives.
Date: Tuesday, 27 April, 2021
Time: 11am - 12:30pm (AEST)
Where: Zoom
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
This week, the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, announced the Government would recommend the Governor-General establish a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The Royal Commission will examine the systemic issues and any common themes and past deaths by suicide of Australian Defence Force members and veterans. It will also include the experiences of veterans who may continue to be at risk of suicide.
Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention Networks evaluation
Due to the increasing emphasis on suicide prevention in Australia, Wesley Mission commissioned the Centre for Mental Health, University of Melbourne, to evaluate its Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention Networks Program.
The Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention Networks have been operating since 2007 and offer both grassroots community support and support for those with a lived experience of suicide.
Black Dog Institute report into suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities
Released by Black Dog Institute last week, the new report shares insights from two PHN trial sites for implementing suicide prevention strategies that are effective for LGBTIQ+ communities.
The report was developed as part of Black Dog’s support to the National Suicide Prevention Trial, launched in 12 sites across Australia in 2016.
Orygen study finds mental ill-health a major contributor to Australian youth suicide
An analysis of coronial records by researchers at Orygen has found that the majority of young Australians who died by suicide between 2006 and 2015 had either a diagnosed or a likely mental health disorder.
The study examined the demographic, social and clinical characteristics of young Australians aged 10-24 years who died by suicide between 2006 and 2015 and was published recently in the Medical Journal of Australia.
Rail RUOK?DayRail R U OK?Day is Thursday 29 April. This initiative is a collaboration between R U OK? and TrackSAFE Foundation, with 90,000 rail workers from across Australia and New Zealand expected to participate. Rail R U OK?Day equips rail employees with the tools to reach out and connect in a meaningful way. |
LGBTIQ+ Conversations Guide and resourcesIn consultation with LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, R U OK? has developed a conversation guide that contains tips to help you know when and how to ask someone who is gender, bodily or sexuality diverse, “Are you OK?” in a safe and supportive way. The R U OK? LGBTQI+ resources highlight the powerful role colleagues can play in supporting members of LGBTIQ+ communities as trusted allies. |
Seeking participants for research project focus groups
Researchers from the University of New England and Everymind are seeking people who have been bereaved by suicide to participate in a series of online focus groups to help inform a research project developing and evaluating a new mobile phone messaging intervention to support people bereaved by suicide.
Insights from the |
World Suicide Prevention Day theme announced and new IASP World Congress websiteA big week of announcements for the International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP) last week, releasing the World Suicide Prevention Day theme for 2021 - 2023 as 'Creating Hope Through Action' and a new website to support the upcoming 31st World Congress. |
Life in Mind is an initiative of Everymind. It is supported by funding from the Australian Government, Department of Health, under The National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program.
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