Driving action and change is at the forefront of a national summit on suicide prevention being sponsored by the Tasmanian Liberal Government in Hobart this week.
The Lived Experience of Suicide Summit – which is convened every two years by national organisation Roses in the Ocean – is being held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor over the next two days.
Premier and Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Jeremy Rockliff said that the Tasmanian Liberal Government is proud to sponsor this event, recognising the significance of suicide awareness and prevention for all Tasmanians.
“Mental health reform and suicide prevention is a key priority of our Government,” Premier Rockliff said.
“That is why I have elevated mental health and suicide prevention to a Premier’s priority for the first time, so that we can take a whole-of-government, whole-of-community approach.
“We know that developing effective approaches to suicide prevention can only be done by bringing together leaders, clinicians, policy-makers, consumers, and, importantly, those with lived experience of suicide and suicidal distress.
“That is why we are proud to support this summit, which is one of the largest groups of people with expertise and experience to come together in Australia to influence work in suicide prevention.”
As part of the two-day event, interactive workshop-style forums will connect people with a lived experience of suicide with key sector organisations, researchers, clinicians, government departments and non-government organisations.
The Department of Health will lead a workshop looking at opportunities and strategies for suicide prevention action in rural and remote areas, with the outcomes set to further inform Tasmania’s recently released Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023-2027.
This strategy was strongly influenced by the voices of those who are impacted every day by experiences of living with suicidal distress and those who are supporting loved ones, and lived experience will continue to lead and guide the implementation of actions identified in the strategy.
Minister for Community Services and Development Nic Street will be representing the Premier and Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing at the summit.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, seek help and support from:
- A Tasmanian Lifeline (1800 98 44 34);
- Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800);
- Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467); or
- Lifeline (13 11 14).
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
