10 September 2009

World Suicide Prevention Day

NSW Health Director Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Programs, David McGrath, said preventing suicide remained a priority for the State Government as communities around the globe acknowledged World Suicide Prevention Day today.

World Suicide Prevention Day is organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2009 is 'Suicide Prevention in Different Cultures'.

Mr McGrath said the NSW suicide rate was 7.3 per 100,000 people - the lowest since 1979 and lowest of all Australian States and Territories. 

"For young people aged 15-24 years in NSW, the suicide rate is 6.8 per 100,000 - the lowest in Australia and the lowest since 1996.  Since 1999 there has also been an overall downward trend in the number of inpatient suicides deaths in NSW Mental Health Services," Mr McGrath said.

"World Suicide Prevention Day provides an opportunity for us to acknowledge the immense tragedy of suicide, but to also send a positive message that suicide can be prevented, that this is a priority for the Government, and that, through improved understanding, resilience and support we can work together to protect and support our communities.

"Suicide is a complex issue, and there is neither a single cause nor a simple solution. Preventing suicide requires all in society to work together in partnerships to protect and support our communities."

Mr McGrath said the State Government was developing a new five-year NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy, which would build on the considerable achievements of the past 10 years. 

Mr McGrath said the new strategy would incorporate whole-of-community programs that addressed suicide prevention through community resilience, outreach and support for groups at higher risk, effective services, support for those affected by suicide, and improved information. 

"As the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day 2009 highlights, suicide rates vary among different cultural groups and services must be culturally appropriate in their delivery, as well as in recognising varying determinants and risk factors among those groups," Mr McGrath said.

"Suicide and suicide prevention are `whole-of-community issues', and the Government is working with a wide range of stakeholders with experience and expertise across society to address them.

"The NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy will include initiatives to promote mental health and improve resilience among young people, such as the MoodSwell multimedia resource. MoodSwell provides an interactive environment where young people can explore their feelings, develop stress management and life skills, be inspired by others and identify avenues for support.

"School-Link will provide a state-wide framework for child and adolescent mental health services, schools and TAFE to work together to promote mental health and prevent mental health problems. 

MindMatters and KidsMatters are school-based programs that aim to promote young people's mental health and resilience and provide them with the skills and resources to meet life's challenges.

"In addition, the strategy will also build upon the innovative NSW Youth Mental Health Services Model, including Y-Central on the Central Coast, which provides mental health services for 14-24 year olds in youth-friendly settings co-located with primary health, drug and alcohol and other services, where possible.

"It is important that we continue to work hard to identify emerging priorities and issues, and are responsive to these, to better ensure that people at-risk of suicide, as well as their families, friends and carers, are connected with the treatment and support they need."

Mr McGrath said the Government was waiting for the outcomes of the review by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (March 2010) that was investigating how suicide statistics were reported.

"NSW Health will review the way it reports on suicide in light of the revised ABS data, and welcomes any improvements in accuracy of reporting to inform responses," he said.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au