THE call is out for people to have input into a new three-year plan to reduce suicide across SA.
The Premier's Council on Suicide Prevention and Wellbeing SA is inviting all South Australians to have a say on the development of a new SA Suicide Prevention Plan for 2022-25.
Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade said reducing the number of suicides in South Australia was a high priority of the SA government.
"Every life matters and, tragically, so many of us have been touched or impacted by suicide in some way," he said.
"That's why we need to hear from as many South Australians as possible about what could make a difference.
"We are working in partnership with the community and reaching out to people with lived experience of suicidal distress, and their loved ones, to help us make a meaningful change in suicide prevention
."The experience and wisdom of South Australians, particularly people who have been directly or indirectly impacted by suicide and suicidal distress, can really help us understand what we need to do to reduce and prevent suicide in our community.
"We would like to hear from people whose voices are not always heard."
In an Australian first, the state government is planning to legislate the state's suicide prevention framework after thorough community consultation.
Once finalised, the Bill will establish a whole-of-community and whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention.
Premier's Advocate for Suicide Prevention and Community Resilience Dan Cregan said suicide was the leading cause of death for South Australians aged 15 to 44 and the second leading cause of death for South Australians aged 45 to 54-years of age.
"Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that Australians are far more likely to take their own life than die in motor vehicle accidents," he said.
"Evidence suggests that for every life lost to suicide, 135 people are impacted and that is conservative in many cases.
"Every death by suicide in SA is devastating for family, friends, colleagues and, in many cases, whole communities.
"But we can work to prevent suicide, and suicide prevention is an important issue for communities to engage with.
"Talking about suicide can be difficult, but we know that listening and understanding people's stories and experiences can help shape the Suicide Prevention Plan and prevent future heart-ache."
The ideas, comments and experiences shared by the community will be used to shape the first draft of the SA Suicide Prevention Plan 2022-2025, which will be made public in September 2021 for further feedback.
Consultation on the Suicide Prevention Plan is open until Friday, April 23.
For more information and to have your say, please visit the Open Your World website and complete the survey, or call 1800 955 709.
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