News

The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and restrictions on the mental health and wellbeing of many Australians has prompted an additional funding boost of $20 million from the Australian Government, with an additional $10.3 million investment to support three research projects.

Check out the latest news in our May 2020 issue.

The University of Melbourne is calling on all Australian researchers planning or already conducting suicide-related research regarding the COVID-19 pandemic to share their updates and ideas as part of the National Leadership in Suicide Prevention Research project.

Life in Mind is proud to introduce our newest Champion: Charlie Willbridge from the National LGBTI Health Alliance. We asked Charlie to share some insights on the National Communications Charter (The Charter) and what it means to be part of the Champions Group leading its dissemination.

You Got This Mate is a new initiative of the Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) and the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP), aimed at helping rural men reach their best possible mental health.

The University of New England is conducting research to understand the ways in which people experience suicide from a personal point of view. This information will be used to inform the work of the National Suicide Prevention Taskforce.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) has developed the Reporting on Suicide During the COVID-19 Pandemic media resource.

On Friday, the National Cabinet unanimously adopted the National Mental Health and Wellbeing Pandemic Response Plan, with $48.1 million allocated to implement immediate actions.

R U OK? has released the revised, free Mateship Manual, designed to provide guidance on how to support someone affected by a natural disaster or emergency.

The Australian National University Centre for Social Research and Methods undertook a large survey of the population to measure exposure and the impact on attitudes of the 2019-20 Australian Bushfires.

Last year, Samaritans Foundation signed the National Communications Charter (The Charter). The Life in Mind team asked them to share some of the measures they’ve put in place for staff to maintain their mental wellness during these uncertain times.

InnoWell has become a proud signatory of the National Communications Charter (The Charter), demonstrating their commitment to using the right language in mental health, mental illness and suicide.

Connect 2020 is Suicide Prevention Australia’s webinar series bringing together thought leaders and innovators to share ideas to support our vision of a world without suicide.

Beyond Blue creates a new Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service which aims to support all Australians to manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health and wellbeing.

Following the Federal Government’s announcement of a $74million boost to support the mental health and wellbeing of Australians during COVID-19, the National Mental Health Commission has launched the #InThisTogether national campaign.

The Prime Minister announced the appointment of a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention and a new Veteran Family Advocate.

Summary of initial findings from the National Suicide Prevention Adviser.

National mental health charity, SANE Australia have launched Better Off With You, a targeted suicide prevention campaign featuring real stories of people with experiences of suicidal thoughts and the actions from two communities in Sydney and Northern Queensland.

Hunter New England and Central Coast (HNECC) PHN has pledged their commitment to the National Communications Charter (The Charter) to help reduce stigma and promote the use of safe language around mental health, mental illness and suicide.

The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide (CBPATSISP) has joined forces with other leading mental health and suicide prevention organisations to encourage the general public to talk openly about suicide with their friends and family in a bid to save more lives.

Leading mental health and suicide prevention organisations across the nation are collaborating to support #YouCanTalk – a campaign to encourage, empower and equip Australians to play a more active role in suicide prevention.

Funded by a $5 million dollar grant, key Indigenous leaders from across Australia held their inaugural meeting last month, charged with the task of finding innovative approaches to the complex problem of Indigenous wellbeing

The Productivity Commission today released its draft mental health report, based on its inquiry into the mental health and wellbeing of Australia’s population.

Eastern Melbourne PHN (EMPHN) became signatories to the National Communications Charter (The Charter) in July, promoting common language in mental health, mental illness and suicide.

The Northern Beaches and Maitland City Councils have both recently demonstrated their commitment to mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention by signing The National Communications Charter (The Charter).

Yesterday marked World Mental Health Day, which saw the launch of a new free training package, designed to help people make personal Safety Plans.

An average of 12 emergency services personnel die by intentional self-harm in Australia every year, according to a new fact sheet released by the National Coronial Information System (NCIS).

Today, Indigenous mental health and suicide prevention leaders marked World Mental Health Day by making a number of calls to action to close the mental health gap.

Mental Health Academy is an online education provider specialising in professional development education for mental health professionals.

The Newcastle Youth, Drug and Alcohol Clinical Service has pledged their commitment to the National Communications Charter to help reduce stigma and promote the use of safe and strengths-based language around mental health, mental illness and suicide.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its 2019 Causes of Death report - widely accepted as the most accurate Indigenous suicide deaths data source. Indigenous leaders respond to report and new data on Indigenous suicide.

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network has shared some of their suicide prevention activities happening within their region, including place-based suicide prevention trials.

Today the Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the Causes of Death data, which includes the number of Australians who we have sadly lost to suicide.

The Prime Minister’s Suicide Prevention Adviser, Ms Christine Morgan, attended the International Congress for Suicide Prevention in Northern Ireland last week.

SANE Australia are involved in a two-phase Better Support project, exploring the needs and experiences of families and friends supporting those who have attempted suicide, and plan to develop useful co-designed resources to support these caregivers.

The 30th World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) is being held in Derry, Northern Ireland, from 17-21 September 2019 and we are highlighting Australian researchers in the suicide prevention sector.

In support of the National Communications Charter (The Charter), the South Australian Government’s Senior Management Council (SMC) members all signed on Monday 9th September.

This week marks World Suicide Prevention Day and R U OK? Day. Now more than ever it is important that we work together, across each community and across the whole-of-government, to prevent the distress and impacts that come with suicide.

As part of Life in Mind's ongoing commitment to providing the sector with the latest suicide prevention information, programs, data and research, a landing page has been launched today to share updates from Christine Morgan, the Prime Minister’s National Suicide Prevention Adviser

Minister for Health the Hon. Greg Hunt has announced $5.5 million towards two Indigenous initiatives to support social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the creation of a lived experience network to include a national representative voice for Indigenous people with lived experience of suicide.

The National Communications Charter (The Charter) is being signed by leaders across many states, showing a commitment to promoting a common language in mental health, mental illness and suicide.

While traumatic experiences are common and most people will experience at least one during their lives, it is important to note that most will recover through the help of family and friends.

The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) aims to reduce the causes, prevalence and impact of suicide on Indigenous individuals, families and communities

In support of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, the International Association for Suicide Prevention are running a Cycle Around the Globe challenge from 10 September to 10 October 2019.

The Suicide Prevention team at Everymind sends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Associate Professor Allison Milner.

As many of the 670 delegates from the 2019 National Suicide Prevention Conference (NSPC) continue reflect on the discussions had during the course of the conference, Life in Mind reached out to a number of attendees to capture their personal highlights from an event which inspired collaboration and passionate discussion across the board.

The final day of the 2019 National Suicide Prevention Conference might have had a slightly later start but it proved to be one of the busiest days with discussions touching on an extensive range of topics including post-vention, intervention, research, lived experience and community engagement and awareness.

The second day of the 2019 National Suicide Prevention Conference tackled knowledge translation, leadership and collaboration opening with a plenary session from Suicide Prevention Program Manager from the Black Dog Institute, Ms Davina Dressler.

Last night a number of leaders in suicide prevention were acknowledged as part of the 2019 National Suicide Prevention Conference (NSPC) LiFE Awards for their contribution to excellence across the sector.

With the 2019 National Suicide Prevention Conference officially opening with statements from the current Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, it is clear that suicide prevention is and will continue to be a significant national priority.

As the National Suicide Prevention Australia Conference is kicking off today in Melbourne, Life in Mind would like to acknowledge the invaluable support that StandBy – Support after Suicide will offer throughout the conference.

Everymind’s national Life in Mind program will be in Melbourne this week at Suicide Prevention Australia’s annual National Suicide Prevention Conference, running from Monday 22 July – Thursday 25 July.