Cassandra Fernando (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Last Sunday marked an important day in our calendar, a day that may have passed by unnoticed for some but carried profound significance for others. It was World Suicide Prevention Day, a day for reflection and remembrance, particularly for the families and friends of the 3,000 Australians who tragically lose their lives to suicide each year. Nine people, of whom six are men, take their own lives every day in our nation. It is a sobering statistic that we cannot ignore. Young people are especially vulnerable, with suicide remaining the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44.

We must also confront the painful truth that First Nations Australians are twice as likely to die by suicide as non-Indigenous Australians. This stark reality underscores the pressing need for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to parliament. If we are to address the intergenerational trauma faced by First Nations Australians, our best chance is through listening and taking concrete action.

For all of us, this Sunday served as a stark reminder to better understand and address the factors that lead to suicide. It's impact is profound and far-reaching, affecting families, friends, first responders, schools and communities. In this chamber, and in the other place, suicide and suicide prevention are nonpartisan issues. Our actions and words matter deeply.

While the reasons behind an individual's suicide are deeply personal and often complex, the overall trends in suicide rates correlate historically with social and economic events. Thus, we cannot isolate the distress faced by many, both in Australia and around the world. From the experiences of the global pandemic, we all know stories of distress, loneliness and isolation, and these stories touch the lives of family members, friends, colleagues, neighbours and even strangers. We must also acknowledge that, as with many catastrophic events, the trauma resulting from this pandemic will have a lasting impact, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable among us.

There are strong connections between mental ill-health and suicide. Therefore, I am proud that the Albanese Labor government is determined to provide compassionate, effective support and care for those in need. It is expanding support in communities with the rollout of new Head to Health clinics, providing free mental health information, support and care to adults. Simultaneously, the government is strengthening the network of more than 150 headspace centres across the country for young people. The government is also working closely with states and territories to establish kids hubs for mental health prevention and early intervention. Primary care is becoming more accessible and affordable, in recognition of the fact that a general practitioner is often the first point of contact for mental health care. Starting on 1 November, we are indexing the Medicare rebate and tripling the bulk-billing incentives.

We also understand that the root causes of suicide are multifaceted, encompassing economic, cultural and social determinants which interact with individual risk factors over time. Those who die by suicide typically have three or four risk factors, such as underemployment, financial insecurities, domestic and family violence, and past or compound trauma. To address these drivers of distress, we need a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention that involves the whole of the government and society. This means not only providing mental health support but also alleviating the underlying issues in people's lives.

At the top of that list is reducing financial pressure through cost-of-living relief. From 20 September, the base rates of working-age and student payments, including JobSeeker, will increase. I am proud that the government, in close partnership with state and territory governments, is also investing in addressing housing insecurity and homelessness, particularly through the Housing Australia Future Fund. Additionally, I am proud that the government remains committed to addressing domestic, family and sexual violence. We are implementing the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, equipping our healthcare workers to identify and care for those at risk. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that communities are resilient in the face of increased natural disasters. The introduction of the National Disaster Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework will be a great support to our first responders. Beyond the provision of health care, governmentwide collaboration is essential if we are to reduce suicide.

Despite increasing expenditure on mental health services and suicide prevention, Australia has not seen a significant decrease in suicide rates in over two decades. We also know that approximately 40 per cent of people who die by suicide have no diagnosed mental or behavioural disorders. Suicide risk is directly linked to socioeconomic status, with those in the lowest socioeconomic areas having more than double the rate of suicide compared to those in the highest. To truly make a difference, we must improve not only our healthcare system but also our laws, structures and policies that perpetuate cycles of disadvantage.

The Treasurer's recent release of the Measuring What Matters statement is a step in the right direction. It acknowledges that economic indicators alone cannot paint the full picture of our nation's wellbeing. However, it is important to remember that change can occur in every town, suburb and city. While suicide is an individual act, rates of suicide reflect the health of our communities. We all have a role to play.

This year, the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day was creating hope through action. It serves as a reminder that each one of us can take compassionate action to support those experiencing distress. Tomorrow is R U Okay? Day. It is a day to check in on your mates and family and a day to remind us that no-one—again, no-one—should ever have to battle mental health issues alone. It is a day to show compassion towards each other, not only in our community but within the walls of parliament, to remind everyone that, no matter how heated things get here, we always want the best for each other.

Mental health support is something I am passionate about because I know how important it is to our community. I commend the tireless efforts of the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP, and the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, the Hon Emma McBride MP. I would also like to convey my gratitude on behalf of my electorate to the assistant minister for taking the time to visit my electorate and engage with mental health stakeholders. Together, we can ensure that no-one has to face their darkest moments alone. Let us all commit to working together to make a difference on this critical issue.

See this speech in context