Labor will form a Suicide Prevention Commission

Tasmanian Labor
  • $1 million a year for Suicide Prevention Commissioner
  • Labor will employ 30 new mental health social workers in Community Health Centres
  • Only Labor is working for Tasmanians to create a better and fairer state
  • A majority Labor Government would form a Suicide Prevention Commission to help identify and understand the factors and systematic issues that may contribute to suicide risk.

    Labor Leader Rebecca White said funding of $1 million a year would be given to the Commissioner to help government better understand the issues facing Tasmanians.

    "The Commissioner will make recommendations to government about the actions and strategies relevant to past and any future deaths by suicide," Ms White said.

    "They will help provide government with the details it needs to improve mental ill health services in Tasmania.

    "A majority Labor Government has committed to ensuring every community has access to mental ill health support by employing 30 new mental health social workers in Community Health Centres across Tasmania.

    "This plan complements Labor's $40 million commitment to recruit mental health workers to all 195 Tasmanian state primary and high schools along with a guaranteed $1.35 million funding commitment to mental health advocacy group Speak Up! Stay ChatTY.

    "Mental ill health is one of the biggest issues facing Tasmania, yet getting treatment for it is next to impossible under the Liberals."

    Shadow Minister for Health Dr Bastian Seidel said the Suicide Prevention Commission was a key part of Labor's plan to address mental ill health.

    "The establishment of a Suicide Prevention Commission will work alongside Labor's plan to spend $390 million over four years to redevelop the Repatriation Hospital in Hobart, including a state-of-the-art mental health facility," Dr Seidel said.

    "And our plan to fund a new $67.5 million mental health facility at the North West Regional Hospital will help ensure Tasmanians suffering mental ill health can get the treatment they deserve.

    "Mental ill health is an issue that cannot be ignored and Labor has a plan to help all Tasmanians.

    "Only Labor is working for Tasmanians to create a better and fairer state."

    Rebecca White MP

    Labor Leader

    Bastian Seidel MLC

    Shadow Minister for Health

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