Enhancing suicide prevention, intervention and postvention

The Mental Health Commission has received $32.3 million to ensure continuation of essential service provision that was established under Suicide Prevention 2020: Together we can save lives and support the implementation of the new Western Australian Suicide Prevention Framework 2021- 2025 across the State. The Framework promotes a whole-of-state approach to suicide prevention in Western Australia, the reduction of duplication of services, lessening confusion in the suicide prevention space for consumers, and the provision of the support and help our communities need to prevent suicide.

A further $4.79 million has been allocated to programs to provide additional suicide prevention support to all Western Australians as part of the WA Recovery Plan, including: aftercare support following a suicide attempt; providing support and meeting the needs of those affected by a suicide death; increasing capacity of services that provide long-term support to children who have been bereaved by a suicide death; and, improving community-level data collection for suicide prevention.

The Mental Health Commission is currently planning for the commissioning of services to support the implementation of the Suicide Framework 2025.  

Western Australian Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Strategy

Complementing the Suicide Prevention Framework 2025, the MHC has received funding of $9.8 million over four years to develop and implement the first Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention strategy for Western Australia.

The strategy will include regional specific plans for Aboriginal suicide prevention. The regional plans will prioritise Aboriginal-led and locally endorsed initiatives that accommodate a culturally informed social and emotional wellbeing approach to suicide prevention.

The development of the regional plans will be guided by the principles of: nothing for Aboriginal people without Aboriginal people, enabling Aboriginal-led solutions and cultural understanding and respect.

To ensure the work is being guided by these principles, the Mental Health Commission has sought advice from the Aboriginal Advisory Council of Western Australia. Based on this advice, the Mental Health Commission is now engaging with key stakeholders from each region, to seek local input and knowledge on how best to proceed.