The Territory Labor Government today launched the NT Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2018-2023 which provides a vision for how everyone in our community can work together to reduce suicide.
The framework outlines plans for reducing this burden of loss and grief, and supporting all in our community to live lives filled with meaning and purpose.The strategic framework identifies three priority areas for focus:
o Building stronger communities with increased capacity to respond to and prevent suicidal behaviour through raising awareness and reducing stigma
o Informed, inclusive services that provide timely, integrated, compassionate and culturally safe responses that meet the diverse needs of people across the Territory
o Focused and evidence-informed support for the most vulnerable groups of people.
The framework will be progressed with an implementation plan, and through local regional planning and action groups. Support will be provided to regional communities to develop action plans, and forums will be held to help communities come together to create solutions. Support will be provided to make those solutions become real through the small community grants programs.
NT Suicide Prevention Community Grants have been issued in line with the framework to help with the development of community-led solutions.
Community groups and non-government organisations may apply for grants between $500 and $10,000 to assist in raising awareness about suicide and suicide prevention. The grants are aimed at supporting locally-led activities and projects that progress action in one or more of the following:
o Building inclusive communities and strengthening community resilience
o Addressing stigma and discrimination
o Raising awareness of effective suicide prevention practices.
As stated by Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:
The Territory Labor Government is working to reduce suicide rates in the Northern Territory by half over the next 10 years.
Sadly, the Territory’s suicide statistics are the highest in the country. In 2015, 50 lives were taken by suicide in NT. That is a rate of 21 people for every 100,000 people in our community.
The NT Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2018-2023 provides a vision for how everyone in our community can work together to reduce suicide.
This framework gives us the pathway forward in reducing this burden of loss and grief, and supporting all in our community to live lives filled with meaning and purpose.
This is an ambitious, but achievable target, if all sectors of our community work together to address those factors that contribute to suicide.
As stated by Assistant Minister for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health and Disabilities Ngaree Ah Kit:
Like many Territorians, my family has been touched by the pain and suffering of suicide, and I know first-hand that this can and does affect our whole community.
Almost every week in the Northern Territory, a person takes their own life – and leaves behind family, friends, and a broader community, grieving for the life that tragically ended too soon.
This framework and the new grants will empower non-government organisations and community members to deliver important localised suicide prevention projects across the Territory, to help in preventing suicide.
