Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

  (i) 10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day,

  (ii) the theme for 2017 is 'Take a Minute, Change a Life' and aims to complement the work undertaken by RUOK? Day that encourages people to take the time to notice what is going on with your family, friends, colleagues and yourself,

  (iii) 14 September is RUOK? Day – this is a day that reminds people that they have got what it takes to start a meaningful conversation if they are worried about someone and includes four steps: 1. Ask, 2. Listen, 3. Encourage action, 4. Check-in,

  (iv) that in 2015, 3 027 Australians lost their lives to suicide – this represents the highest suicide rate in 15 years and is an average of 8.3 deaths by suicide every day, and

  (v) that suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 44 – these statistics are heartbreaking and confronting; and

(b) urges all levels of government and the community to work together to:

  (i) reduce the impact of mental ill health and suicide in our society,

  (ii) continue to work towards reducing stigma associated with mental ill health, and

  (iii) help raise community awareness around suicide prevention.

Question agreed to.