Suicide Prevention Australia - Update

 

Message from the CEO

This past month has been a great opportunity to reflect and celebrate the extraordinary work being done in suicide prevention across Australia through the State and Territory LiFE Awards. It has been a pleasure to connect in person with many of you as we highlight the significant work happening across the country. I’m looking forward with great anticipation to the National LiFE Awards at our Conference next month. And speaking of the National Suicide Prevention Conference 2026, we are excited to announce that Ian Thorpe AM will be the Diego de Leo Address speaker for this year. Without doubt we are in for an inspiring and thought-provoking keynote at NSPC26. Register now to join us next month at NSPC26 in Sydney! In the past month we have seen the release of two significant government documents. Firstly, the Australian National Audit Office report into Suicide Prevention Policy Development and Monitoring tabled in Parliament on 5 March concluded that the Department's development and monitoring of suicide prevention measures was 'partly effective' and 'not fully supportive', providing additional impetus for our continued advocacy for the funding and implementation of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. Additionally, the Mental Health Ministers' communique issued on 13 February, continues the commitment of Joint Health and Mental Health Ministers across Australia as they plan the next steps towards future national mental health and suicide prevention arrangements including the development of a new National agreement. You can read more about these items in this month’s Member Brief. Warm regards,

Nieves Murray

National Suicide Prevention Conference 2026

NSPC26 Diego de Leo Keynote Address — Ian Thorpe AM We are delighted to announce that Ian Thorpe AM will deliver the Diego de Leo keynote address at the National Suicide Prevention Conference next month, sponsored by MATES. With 9 Olympic medals and 11 World Championship titles, Ian is one of the most successful sportspeople Australia has ever produced. Out of the pool, Ian continues to excel as a leading advocate for youth, First Nations and LGBTIQA+ communities. In 2012, he received the Human Rights Medal for his work fighting for better services for Indigenous children in remote communities. In 2019, he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to youth and Indigenous education, and swimming. Currently, Ian continues to serve as Patron and Board Member for youth mental health organisation, ReachOut, and as Ambassador for Australian Marriage Equality, Invictus Games Sydney and AIME. Register today

Pre-Conference Workshops — 27 April 2026 Extend your learning and dive deeper into suicide prevention practice with our pre-conference workshops, held on Monday 27 April 2026, before the main conference program. These workshops offer focused, interactive learning experiences across a wide range of important and emerging topics in suicide prevention, including international best practice approaches, co-design, lived experience and psychosocial risk and suicide. Please note: Our Pre-Conference Workshops will proceed as scheduled on Monday, 27 April 2026, despite the recently announced NSW public holiday. Learn more

Congratulations to our 2026 LiFE Awards Recipients in ACT, SA, QLD, WA!

Learn more

A special thanks to our recent State and Territory LiFE Awards sponsors, Acorn Technologies (ACT) and Mens Talk (WA).

Adverse Childhood Experiences — Webinar — 8 April 2026 Join us on Wednesday 8 April at 11.00am AEST as we explore how adverse childhood experiences shape suicide risk. This webinar will include an opening address from Katherine McKernan, the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People, Office for Youth NSW. This will be followed by a presentation of Suicide Prevention Australia's Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) report followed by an expert panel discussion exploring gaps, prevention opportunities and key considerations for people impact by ACE-related suicide risk. Craig Hughes-Cashmore — CEO, Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN) and Member, SPA Lived Experience Panel Dr Lucy Grummitt — NHMRC Emerging Leadership Research Fellow, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney Facilitated by Chris Stone — Executive Director, Sector Advocacy, Suicide Prevention Australia To learn more and register now, head to our website. Register now

Universal Aftercare resources Following on from the launch of the Universal Aftercare Service Delivery Model (SDM) in 2025, the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation has released a set of Universal Aftercare resources for organisations. The templates have been developed to support delivery of aftercare services across NSW and can be adapted according to organisational needs. They align with the SDM’s guidance and are designed to help aftercare providers and other stakeholders implement best practice. Learn more

Roses in the Ocean – Lived Experience at Work Queensland program We are excited to share the Queensland Mental Health Commission are supporting Roses in the Ocean to deliver the Lived Experience at Work program to people who live in Queensland.   Lived Experience at Work is a multi-faceted initiative that strengthens the capability and readiness of Queensland’s suicide prevention lived experience and peer workforces, and the organisations that engage and support this workforce.  The program is inviting individuals and organisations in QLD to participate in relevant various workshops and training sessions to build capability in suicide prevention. Learn more

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Mr Perfect Mr Perfect Inc. is a grassroots not-for-profit charity dedicated to improving men’s mental health by bringing men together for free community barbecues across Australia. Founded in 2017, the organisation creates safe, informal, non-judgmental spaces where men can connect, share experiences, and talk openly about life. The concept is simple but powerful — building social connection to reduce isolation, loneliness, and the stigma around mental health.  Since its first event in 2018, close to 30,000 people have attended these gatherings in over 35 locations across Australia. These events provide a relaxed, alcohol-free environment for conversation and community. Hosts can refer attendees in crisis to services like Lifeline or mental health professionals. Learn more

Defence and Veterans' Service Commission Advisory Group EOI The objective of the Advisory Group is to improve the prevention of suicide and wellbeing of serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members. Expressions of Interest are now open for suitably qualified and experienced people to join the Commissioner’s Advisory Group, including people with lived experience of suicide. To learn more and apply, head to the DVSC website. Learn more Call for research participants for suicide imagery (I-SUIM) trial Black Dog Institute are recruiting people who experience mental images of suicide to enrol in a trial as primary participants, and are inviting their referrers and mental healthcare providers as optional secondary participants. The I-SUIM trial provides participants with three to four telehealth therapy sessions with a psychologist. To learn more and register, head to the I-SUIM research trial website. Learn more

Please contact membership@suicidepreventionaust.org if any members of your team would like to receive our email communications, featuring updates on events, policy input opportunities, and data insights.