The Tasmanian Government is working to reduce suicide rates in Tasmania and is seeking the views of the Tasmanian community to inform the development of the third Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy, which is expected to be released by the end of the year.
Throughout the year, we have been consulting widely to inform the next strategy through a range of activities, including a broad community survey, key informant interviews, and stakeholder workshops across the State.
The Government is now seeking to hear from young people (aged 12-25), their parents/carers, and anyone who works with young Tasmanians about how we can prevent youth suicide and distress.
To hear from the community, we have launched a survey with questions about how and where young people seek support and their ideas for improving the Government’s approach to suicide prevention.
The survey is an opportunity for young people to tell us what they think is working, and what could be improved when it comes to providing support for those who are struggling in their communities. Their insights will help shape a five-year vision for preventing suicide in our State.
Alongside our survey, we are inviting young people to send us a postcard telling us what supports they need to live their best lives in Tasmania. Our postcards will be part of an ongoing campaign to better understand the views of young people in Tasmania and will be distributed to organisations supporting young people across the State.
Our extended postcard campaign will play an important role in informing the development of annual implementation plans supporting the rollout of the final suicide prevention strategy and of Tasmania’s broader strategic mental health plan, Rethink 2020.
We acknowledge that preventing suicide is challenging, as the reasons people die by suicide are complex and are not necessarily connected to mental illness.
Our Government is deeply committed to working with all Tasmanians to ensure that everyone who experiences suicidal distress can access compassionate care and support when and where they need it.
Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility, and it is up to each of us to do what we can to support each other, to reach out to others in times of disruption and distress, and to help build hope for the future.
For more information and to have your say, visit Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy Project. The survey closes Monday 26 September 2022. The postcard campaign is ongoing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, seek help and support from:
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
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