Latest news and published research in suicide prevention
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eNews September 2025
Welcome to the September edition of Life in Mind eNews, featuring the latest news from the suicide prevention and mental health sectors, as well as some recently published research in suicide prevention.
If you would like to share suicide prevention-related news, current initiatives or published research, please email lifeinmind@health.nsw.gov.au
Sector news
Read some of the latest suicide prevention news in Australia
Rethinking masculinity and young men’s mental health
New research highlights the challenges young men face in seeking support for their mental health, shaped by societal expectations of masculinity. This paper calls for policies and services that promote healthier, more supportive environments.
Dr Alex Hains appointed Head of National Suicide Prevention Office
Dr Alex Hains has been appointed as Head of the National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO) by Assistant Minister Emma McBride, following nearly a year in an acting capacity.
Suicidal thoughts and behaviours in adolescence
A new report from the Australian Institute of Family Studies reveals that one in three young people report suicidal thoughts or behaviours by age 19. The findings highlight gender differences, risk factors and the need for early, consistent, whole-of-community support to address distress among adolescents.
New look Suicide Response Project launched
The Suicide Response Project is a free, evidence-based tool developed by a group of passionate researchers. It is co-designed with autistic and LGBTIQA+ people and their families, and aims to help community members be more confident in identifying and responding to suicide risk in others.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Systems Approach to Suicide Prevention Framework
The new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander systems approach to suicide prevention is a culturally grounded framework and implementation guideline. It centres community leadership, lived experience and holistic wellbeing to strengthen prevention efforts.
Community-led suicide prevention initiative
It Takes a Community is a year-long program uniting people with lived experience, peer workers and service organisations across Eastern Melbourne. Together, they aim to build stronger connections to embed lived experience at the heart of suicide prevention efforts.
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia celebrates the inaugural Proud Spirit Awards
The Proud Spirit Award awards celebrate outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for their work in social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention. The inaugural award ceremony in August 2025 was held on the lands of the Larrakia people, in Garramilla (Darwin).
Last chance to join the Prevention in Practice Summit 2025!
With less than one week to go, we are on the countdown to the Prevention in Practice Summit in Sydney!
Hosted by Everymind, this one-day summit will focus on bridging the knowledge-to-practice gap in the prevention of mental health concerns and will bring together leaders in policy, research and practice to help shape a national approach to mental health that prioritises prevention and wellbeing.
Attendees will be provided with an opportunity to contribute to national priority setting and sharing of best-practice examples.
Limited tickets are still available join in the conversation to shape a national whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to mental health that prioritises prevention and wellbeing. Use the promo code 'friends' to get 10% off tickets.
Translated research studies
A translation of suicide prevention research on the Life in Mind portal
What are the long-term impacts of Men in Mind training?Men in Mind is an online training program designed to help practitioners effectively engage men in therapy. While previous research has shown benefits three months after training, this study explores the long-term impacts of the program and implementation learnings. |
Reflections on co-designing safe spaces in AustraliaThis study explored people's experiences of being involved in the co-design of safe spaces across six Australian sites. It discusses what worked well, where challenges emerged, and how lived experience can be better included in planning and implementing services. |
Highlights and happenings
Other featured content from across the Life in Mind portal
Understanding ABS Data to support regional approaches to suicide prevention
Accurate and timely suicide data is essential for informing suicide prevention policies, strategies and activities at national, state, and regional levels.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides reliable data to support these efforts, including the annual Causes of Death collection and findings from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (2020–22). Fact sheets from Life in Mind and the ABS help PHNs understand and interpret region-specific data.
Workshop outcomes from the 2025 Lived Experience of Suicide Summit
Summary reports from two workshops at the Roses in the Ocean Lived Experience summit are now available. The first workshop explored creative ways to measure the impact of non-clinical services, while the second looked at the role people with lived experience play in evidence-based decision-making.
Image courtesy of the Australian Department of Defence
New data released by AIHW
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has released data on health service use around intentional self-harm and suicide among ex-serving ADF members, as well as updated ADF suicide monitoring data from 1997 to 2023. Summaries of the data release are available on the Life in Mind portal.
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Each edition of the Life in Mind eNews has some of the latest news and research in mental health and suicide prevention.
