The Albanese Government and the National Suicide Prevention Office have released the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035.
Every day in Australia, nine people die by suicide and more than 150 attempt to take their own life. This is more than 3,000 lives lost every year. The impacts of suicidal distress and suicide on individuals, families and our communities are devastating.
It doesn't have to be this way.
The National Suicide Prevention Strategy outlines what is required to provide a national, evidence-based and compassionate suicide prevention system. It aims to prevent suicide by addressing the circumstances that lead to suicidal distress and to support people experiencing suicidal thoughts and those who care for them.
The development of the Strategy has been made possible through the leadership of people with lived and living experience of suicide and the support of community organisations, civil society and the broader community.
The Strategy has been designed to align with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy recently released by Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) in acknowledgement that a reduction in the rate of suicide cannot be achieved without addressing the increasing number of lives lost to suicide within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Strategy was developed in close collaboration with all states and territories and reaffirms the Australian Government's commitment to preventing suicide.
The Albanese Government is also extending funding under the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program (NSPLSP) for a range of initiatives to reduce suicide and suicidal behaviours.
Through the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program we are investing an additional $69 million to ensure that support is available for Australians affected by suicide and distress. This includes additional funding for suicide prevention services, community support programs, health promotion campaigns and research.
This funding is in addition to the $16.6 million investment in First Nations activities under the NSPLSP announced in December last year.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"Over the last two decades in this country, on average, nine lives have been tragically lost to suicide every day. It is clear we need a new approach to how we prevent suicide as a nation.
"This national strategy, developed by experts and deeply informed by the lived experience of people impacted by suicide, will help guide national direction and reduce the profound impact of suicide on families and communities.
"The Albanese Government welcomes the endorsement from all states and territories for this new approach to suicide prevention."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
"Every day we will lose nine people to suicide, but it doesn't have to be this way. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy outlines how we can collectively prevent suicide and suicidal distress.
"It will take all governments, services and communities to work together to prevent suicide.
"The Albanese Government is proud to deliver the Strategy to guide our collaborative efforts to build a comprehensive and compassionate system that will reduce the experience of suicidal distress and save lives.
"We are grateful to every person with lived and living experience of suicide who has shared their experiences and contributed to this Strategy."
