Wednesday, 10 September 2025

World Suicide Prevention Day

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:22): Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, an important day for all of us to come together to raise awareness and to take action with our communities to prevent suicide, but I also want to acknowledge that for many in our community today will be a day of profound grief and loss. For every life lost to suicide there are many more people who are deeply affected, and the impact on family and friends can be devastating. Each and every suicide impacts all of us in our communities. Every life lost to suicide is one too many.

Suicide is not just a health issue; the causes are complex and can include many other factors. In Victoria the Allan Labor government is taking strong action to provide early and compassionate support for Victorians who are experiencing suicidal distress. Our hospital outreach post-suicidal engagement, or HOPE, program is providing up to three months of person-centred support after a suicide attempt or crisis. More than 14,500 Victorians have been supported through the HOPE program across 40 sites, including four children and youth-specific services, with over 377,000 service contacts delivered by clinicians, wellbeing workers and peer workers with lived experience.

Outreach workers provide support throughout this critical period where the risk of another suicide attempt is highest, ensuring Victorians and their families are supported through recovery, connection and care in their local community. I am pleased to inform the house that the program is achieving some strong results for Victorians, including improved health and wellbeing, strengthened social connections and reduced rates of self-harm and re-presentation. Today is a reminder for all of us that preventing suicide in our community is everyone’s business.