Member Brief - Suicicide Prevention Australia

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Message from the CEO The 2024/25 Budget has been handed down and falls short on suicide prevention funding, failing to meet the urgent needs of our communities.   The recent Federal Budget has also raised significant concerns within our sector due to the decision to integrate the newly formed National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO) into the general machinery of government. There is a real possibility of a delay in the release of the much-anticipated National Suicide Prevention Strategy due to this proposed relocation.   As the peak body, we welcome several cost-of-living relief measures announced in the budget, including energy bill relief, increased Commonwealth rental assistance, a freeze on medicine costs, and changes to student loan indexation.    We cautiously welcome the establishment of a national low-intensity, digital mental health service that is free of charge and free of need for referral. However, our concerns are that this won’t be up and running for years. The Government must urgently start further consultation with the sector to ensure the service is effective.   Whilst some measures are steps in the right direction, the absence of increased direct investment in crisis support services remains a critical issue.   With Nieves taking a well-deserved holiday, she has asked me to step up and lead the team over the next few weeks.   You can be confident that Suicide Prevention Australia will ramp up our advocacy efforts to ensure the NSPO maintains its independence, direct investment is given to crisis support services and the sector is consulted on the development of the new digital service.   Chris Stone  Acting CEO

Selected sessions from #NSPC24 now available in Learnlinc The 2024 National Suicide Prevention Conference in Adelaide was a wonderful opportunity to engage and network with suicide prevention experts, professionals, advocates and colleagues across the sector. If you were unable to attend or if you would like to review your favourite sessions, the plenary and keynote presentations are available in Learnlinc. Conference material is available to be viewed under the 'Webinars' tab of Learnlinc. Highlights from the conference in Learnlinc include: Day 1 - Diego De Lio Address - Professor Tom Calma AO Day 2 - International Keynote Speaker - A/Professor Laura Shannonhouse Day 3 - International Keynote Speaker - A/Professor David McDaid. To view a session, go into Learnlinc>Webinars>Suicide Prevention Australia Seminars and select the appropriate May Day. MORE

Almost 100 programs accredited As we head towards 100 programs being accredited, we are delighted to announce the latest accredited programs.  1. Specialist Targeted Services programs: MensLine Australia  Suicide Call Back Service  All Hours Suicide Support  Suicide Line Victoria  2. Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN) programs:  Eight-week support groups  Planned Support  Peer Support Line  3. The Mens Table’s Table Program  4. Zero Suicide Institute of Australasia’s Introductory Program for Zero Suicide Healthcare  5. MATES in Construction’s: Case Management Program  General Awareness Training (GAT)  MORE Limited offer: 50% off for accreditation We are offering organisational members 50% off the cost of getting accredited. The Accreditation Program provides transparency to funders, government and the public to ensure an organisation’s suicide prevention services are safe, effective, and impactful for those at risk. Commissioning bodies, such as Primary Health Networks and coordinators also consider whether programs are accredited or working towards accreditation under the national standards. It is the only national accreditation program for the suicide prevention sector. The discounted costs are limited so enquire now by emailing the Quality and Practice Team.  EMAIL

NSW Suicide Monitoring System On 6 June 2024 at 1.00 pm, we will be joined by the InforMH team from the System Information and Analytics Branch of the NSW Ministry of Health to take a deep dive into the NSW Suicide Monitoring System. This webinar will be hosted by Nancy Jong and John Uesi from InforMH, a team within the System Information and Analytics Branch of the NSW Ministry of Health.  When: 6 June 2024 Time: 1.00-2.00 pm Cost: Free for members, $60 for non-members Please register online below. REGISTER Inquiry into Digital Transformation of Workplaces and Statutory Review of the Online Safety Act Suicide Prevention Australia is preparing two technology-related submissions. One of the submissions is to the Commonwealth Inquiry into Digital Transformation of Workplaces which examines the opportunities and risks of the development and uptake of automated decision-making and machine learning techniques in the workplace. The second submission is to the Statutory Review of the Online Safety Act to help inform Australia’s online safety legislation. To provide input to one or both of these submissions please email the Policy and Government Relations Team. EMAIL

$15 million extra for financial counselling services in Victoria The Victorian Government has just announced an extra $15 million in funding for financial counselling services. Victoria has recorded the biggest jump in financial distress of any state in recent months as evidenced by our most recent Community Tracker. Read the full news article. MORE Adverse Childhood Experiences White Paper Thank you to everyone who provided input to the White Paper on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). We are now finalising the paper's front section which outlines the link between ACEs and suicide. This section will be available for review in early June. Please email Anne Leslie, Senior Policy Advisor if you would like to provide feedback.  EMAIL

May Member Spotlight: zero2hero  Meet zero2hero, a charity based in Western Australia that is dedicated to educating, engaging and empowering young people to become mental health leaders and to help prevent suicide in Western Australia. MORE

Click here for the previous post Member and Sector News Orygen - free #chatsafe webinar for educators and parents to help young people stay safe online. Register for the webinar for educators being held on 29 May from 5.00–6.30pm here. Register for the parents' webinar on 30 May from 5.00–6.30pm here. Orygen - would like help to disseminate its Guidelines for Involving Young People with Lived and Living Experience in Suicide Research among your network of researchers and people with lived-experience, by sharing insights into the ways in which people with lived and living experience should be represented and involved in research. Neami National - a Domestic and Family Violence and Suicide Prevention Forum is being held in Perth, Western Australia, on 28 May 2024, 9.30 am-12.00pm. Find out more and book here. Everymind - the updated National Communications Charter and supporting tools and resources are now available on the Life in Mind portal. The Charter provides a guide on how to communicate about mental health and wellbeing, mental health concerns and suicide. Safeside Prevention - has launched a newly adapted suicide prevention learning program that targets the gap in education on how to care for people who are shuffled between services for mental health and alcohol and drug use. Read more.