Australia's first legislated suicide prevention plan will deliver specialised training and include a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
South Australia has launched the $1.5 million plan after taking feedback from more than 3200 people who had experienced suicidal distress, cared for someone through a suicidal crisis or lost someone they cared about.
It aims to reduce death by suicide and the distress that may contribute to suicide, as well as improve community understanding, compassion and responsiveness.
The plan was developed following the passage of legislation last year which required SA to implement the four-year strategy.
The premier's advocate for suicide prevention Nadia Clancy said an all-of-government response was required to address risks and build protective factors.
"We have harnessed the wisdom and insights from people with lived experience of suicide and suicide distress in order to develop this plan," the Labor MP said.
"Every suicide represents a profound and enduring loss for families, friends and communities."
A key focus of the plan is preventing suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Specialised suicide prevention training will be rolled out from next year to increase the number of people who have essential practical knowledge and confidence to act in ways that support others.
Training will be targeted at government agencies and will address key components of suicide prevention, including increasing awareness of early warning signs and risk factors.
Ensuring better links to resources, services and support is also part of the plan, along with enhancing skills, confidence and strategies for responding to suicidal distress.
South Australia has also established a Suicide Prevention Council with a diverse mix of those with lived experience of suicide as well as clinicians, researchers, regional and community groups along with Indigenous, multicultural, veteran, first responder and LGBTQI representatives.
Wellbeing SA executive director Nicole Keller said suicide prevention involved taking action to address all of life's difficulties, strengthening the protective factors already in individuals and communities, building community awareness and capacity, and changing the way people think and act.
"This plan recognises that suicide prevention is a shared responsibility requiring a multi-strategy, multi-sectoral and community approach," she said.
"In addition, it recognises that strategies to reduce distress, build wellbeing and restore hope for every life are key to prevention."
Suicide Prevention Australia said based on 2021 data, suicide was the nation's 15th leading cause of death with 3144 people taking their own lives that year.
Men were three times more likely to die by suicide than women while in 2020 suicide was the leading cause of death for those aged 15 to 24.
Indigenous Australians were twice as likely to take their own lives while the median age among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who died was 30, compared to almost 45 for the general population.
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