ALL people who have been admitted to hospital following an attempted suicide, and those who have reached out for help, will have access to follow up care and support under $90 million suicide prevention initiatives.
“The tragic loss of life from suicide leaves families and communities devastated and we shouldn’t accept the current rates,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. “Two-to-three people lose their lives to suicide in NSW each day, and this has to stop.”
The number of lives lost to suicide in NSW – 880 in 2017 – was more than double the state’s road toll. It was the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 44 years.
The state’s first comprehensive suicide prevention strategy would provide “vital funding” and better coordination between support providers and agencies to ensure no-one slipped through the cracks.
Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies said communities at high risk of suicide would benefit from new or expanded initiatives under the new strategy.
Lifeline: 13 11 14.
