Suicide Prevention Conference comes at critical time
Friday, 28 April, 2023
, the national peak body, is hosting the from 1鈥�4 May in Canberra.
The conference will bring together government ministers, voices of lived experience, researchers, sector leaders, volunteers and staff from across the country as well as some international guests.
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO Nieves Murray said, 鈥淲ith 163 presenters, 127 sessions and 25 poster presentations, this year鈥檚 conference is set to be a world-class event.
鈥淎ustralia is a global leader in research, innovation and best practice in suicide prevention. The conference provides a platform to showcase evidence-based solutions and how we can save lives.
鈥淲e鈥檙e welcoming Dr Sally Spencer-Thomas from America as a keynote speaker and Dr Sarah Hetrick from New Zealand, who is the Principal Clinical Advisor from the Suicide Prevention Office NZ.
鈥淪tan Grant, award-winning journalist and host of ABC鈥檚 Q&A, will be delivering the Diego de Leo address and Emma McBride, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, will be speaking at the opening plenary alongside the Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Melissa McIntosh.
鈥淲e last met face to face in 2019 鈥� a lot of progress has happened since then but there is much more to be done,鈥� Murray said.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 conference falls at a critical time for suicide prevention. Rates of distress are high and suicide rates are on the rise.
鈥淰ictorian and NSW suicide registers respectively revealed last month a 9% and 5% increase in Australians taking their own life for the 2022 calendar year.
鈥淩ising rates of suicidal behaviour aligns with research on natural disasters, recessions and other crises that show suicide rates can peak two to three years after an event.
鈥淚t鈥檚 never been more critical for the suicide prevention sector to come together and discuss the path forward.
鈥淪uicide is complex and is often related to multiple factors, so sharing insights on the latest approaches to suicide prevention will play an important role in saving lives,鈥� Murray said.
People experiencing distress can call聽: 13 11 14.
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