headspace’s Post

Now is the time for meaningful action on suicide prevention. The consultation period for the Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy has concluded and our sector is demanding that the strategy needs to be implemented in full to make a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of Australians at risk of suicide. Find our full submission to the draft Advice here: https://ow.ly/Oeg650Ufqs5

Please consider sharing your insights with us about the state of the nation in suicide prevention in Australia. The responses from community will result in a report that highlights suicide prevention work in the sector, as well as strengths, gaps, challenges, and ideas to help save lives. If you're not familiar with our annual survey and report, check out last year's State of the Nation in Suicide Prevention here: https://lnkd.in/gAfay7cu 💚 #haveyoursay #livedexperience #suicideprevention

Today we observe World Suicide Prevention Day. CDC and federal partners recently released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. The National Strategy provides concrete recommendations for addressing gaps in the suicide prevention field. Learn about the National Strategy and how CDC is using it to save lives: https://bit.ly/3Aw3SE2

*Expressions of Interest for our internal lived experience consultations have now closed The Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Consultation draft has just been released for public consultation. The National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO) would like to hear from you. It is important to understand if the advice provided is what you hope to see in government action on suicide prevention. Will the actions be effective in your community? And which actions you see as the priority? As a person with lived experience of suicide there are various ways you can provide feedback. If you would like to have your say, you can learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gsxdaqwd

Ensuring someone’s environment is safe by limiting access to lethal means is one of the best ways to prevent suicide. Learn more about how you can help support someone who may be suicidal at afsp.org/firearms. To learn more about the data collected in our recent public perception poll in partnership with National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and Suicide Prevention Resource Center Suicide-Prevention-Resource-Center, check out: SuicidePreventionNow.org.

2024 State of the Nation in Suicide Prevention Report The latest findings from the 2024 State of the Nation in Suicide Prevention survey highlight both urgent challenges and opportunities in the sector. With input from over 300 members across the suicide prevention community, key insights include: 🔹 Increased demand: 71% of services report higher demand, with 80% needing additional funding to keep up. 🔹 Economic stress: Cost of living, housing affordability, and unemployment are major risk factors. 🔹 Community needs:Only 4% of priority populations are appropriately resourced, highlighting a critical gap. 🔹 Lived experience: 64% say the peer workforce remains underfunded, though essential for prevention efforts. There’s overwhelming support for a whole-of-government approach, and we remain hopeful that together we can drive the reform needed to reduce suicide rates across Australia. Add to this, there is a new Beyond Blue survey, the 2024 Mental Health and Wellbeing Check, which revealed that Australians are waiting up to ten years before seeking mental health support, often waiting until they are in extreme distress. Nearly half (49%) of respondents sought help only when they were "very distressed" or "extremely distressed." Barriers such as long waitlists, high costs, and the belief that problems aren't serious enough to warrant support were cited as reasons for delays. Shame is also a growing issue, with 22% of people avoiding help due to embarrassment. Financial pressures, housing affordability, and relationship challenges were key sources of distress. Beyond Blue emphasizes the importance of early intervention and offers free, 24/7 mental health support services across Australia. Lifeline exists so no one has to face their darkest moments alone. Our crisis phone line is 24/7 , free, confidential and all our vounteers are kind compassionate and trained to listen, and support help seekers. Call 13 11 14. We dont want people to get the stage they feel overwhelmed and extremely distressed. #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth #LivedExperience #Wellbeing #PolicyReform #lifelinenorthcoast #lifeline #helpseeker #community #support

It's well past time to action the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. We've consulted, advocated and consulted again. Now is the time to take it off the shelf and embed it into our communities 💚 #suicidepreventionadvocacy #livedexperience #suicideprevention

The goal is to mutually work together in empowering minds,fosterling resilience and encouraging open conversation to curb suicide menace. Therefore, Kindly click the link and fill in some of the topics that you would like addressed during these month of Suicide Prevention Awareness. https://lnkd.in/e-88BvE4

📣 The draft Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy is now open for public consultation. The draft brings together first-hand evidence provided by people with lived and living experience of suicide, the latest research, and recommendations from existing reports to lay out a path that will lead to less lives lost to suicide.  It’s important that you have your say. 📌 The consultation closes 27 October. Learn more here https://bit.ly/3TnEoiq #SuicidePrevention #WSPD2024 #WSPD #HaveYourSay#NationalSuicidePreventionStrategy