Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

This week is Suicide Prevention Week, which reminds us of the need to look after our mental health and the wellbeing of those around us. It's a national tragedy that about 3,000 people die by suicide each year. That's more than double the annual road toll. It's also a sad statistic that parts of my electorate, including Gympie and Maryborough, suffer from high rates of suicide. The government is taking action on suicide and has given our regional PHN $4 million over four years to run a suicide prevention trial in Gympie and Maryborough and in North Burnett.

Last week, at a breakfast in Gympie hosted by the PHN, I was pleased to announce that a thousand sessions of Question, Persuade and Refer training are now available through the PHN's program to help businesses and community groups in Gympie. The training helps people to recognise the warning signs of suicide and gives them skills to start a safe conversation and provide information about where support can be sought. At the launch, we heard from guest speaker Andrew Marriott from Roses in the Ocean, and Ruth Polley from the Gympie Regional Suicide Prevention Network. I thank them for sharing their deeply personal stories.

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