Local initiatives lower suicide rates

About 2000 people commit suicide every year, that’s about one person every 5 hours, national figures show.

“The most recent data suggests each suicide affects eight others, that’s 16,000 Australians affected by suicide every year,” Shadow Mental Health Minister, Michelle Lensink, said.

Speaking on World Suicide Prevention Day, Ms Lensink and Liberal MLC, John Dawkins, urged the new Mental Health Minister Jane Lomax-Smith to fund the highly successful Community Response to Eliminating Suicide (CORES) program.

“CORES is a community initiative, and all around the world, suicide prevention initiatives are being encouraged at the local level, within the community”, Mr Dawkins said.

“Several State Liberals have undergone the CORES training course and believe it could be useful throughout SA, particularly in rural and regional communities, who have been hit hard in recent years by drought.”

“The International Association For Suicide Prevention (IASP) points to an ‘international consensus’ about local implementation of suicide prevention initiatives; it is inexplicable why this Government refuses to consider CORES.”

Mr Dawkins concluded by urging anyone contemplating suicide or who is feeling depressed to seek help.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Mental Health Assessment and Crisis Intervention Service 13 14 65

Beyondblue 1300 22 46 36

Salvation Army 24-hour Care Line 1300 36 36 22

Suicide Helpline 24-hour counselling service 1300 651 251