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In Australia, suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-44 years. In the ACT, the number of people who have died by suicide has increased significantly. This is worrying and we as a community need to do something about it.
The ACT is set to take part in a research trial of the LifeSpan integrated suicide prevention framework to help strengthen support services for people facing suicidal crisis.
Minster for Mental Health Shane Rattenbury has joined ACT Health representatives, Dr Fiona Shand, Research Director for LifeSpan at the Black Dog Institute and Lauren Anthes, General Manager of Planning and Performance at Capital Health Network to launch the trial locally.
LifeSpan will introduce new and effective suicide prevention community training programs, schools programs, and community awareness campaigns in the ACT, and will enable improved data reporting capability on the incidence of suicide. It will also work with health services to enhance service provision, and with the media to ensure appropriate reporting of suicide-related incidences in the ACT.