2016-09-10
In the lead up to World Suicide Prevention Day Australian Greens Mental Health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert is calling on the Government to adopt a national suicide prevention target.
“For the past 10 years, the suicide rate in Australia has not dropped. Action is needed to address the tragedy of people talking their own lives.
“The theme this year is connect, communicate and care, as Suicide Prevention Australia points out, these three words are at the heart of suicide prevention.
“On World Suicide Prevention Day, the Government has the opportunity to take meaningful action to help reduce suicide rates in Australia.
“Mental health stakeholders have called for a national suicide prevention target, in order to reduce suicides in Australia.
“The Government should use expertise in the mental health field and take meaningful action in this space.
“Next week I will introduce a motion in the Senate calling for this much needed target to be introduced. I urge the Senate to support it”.