The APS welcomes the opportunity to be involved in the development of the Victorian suicide prevention and response strategy. We note the importance of communicating the concept of 'zero suicides' as an 'aspirational challenge' with compassion and clarity to ensure it is embraced by the community.
We also emphasise the need for a dedicated First Nations suicide prevention and response strategy which appropriately acknowledges the unique challenges Aboriginal people face including the impact of colonisation, intergenerational trauma, and the ongoing disenfranchisement that has been created in Australian society.
In addition to the vulnerable groups identified in the discussion paper, older men, homeless peoeple, and populations in contact with the criminal justice system require particular attention in the development of the prevention strategy. Increased understanding and awareness of stigma is needed to address the current stigma surrounding suicide.
Targeted training is also required for frontline employees as well as clear policy framework for managing suicide-related incidents. We recommend using the integrated intervention approach as outlined in the Blueprint for Mentally Healthy Workplaces. High intentsity professions, staff in public contact roles, remote and isolated workers, as well as industries with a higher proportion of workers from high-risk deomgraphics combined with industry-specific cultural factors are some of the higher risk industries/workplaces which should be prioritised in the development of the strategy.
The APS advocates for the following priniciples and priorities:
- Person-centred approach
- Systems-based
- Adaptive
- Public campaigns
- Prevention across the lifespan
- Community-building
- Psychological workforce
Developing compassionate communities requires sustained community-building efforts, as well as apporitate psychological support, so that there are resources and networks available to respond to those bereaved by suicide as well as ideally preventing it from occuring the first place.
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