The South Australian parliament has passed an Australian-first Suicide Prevention Act, enshrining in law efforts to reduce suicide along with best-practice education and training.
The new measures also create a 13-person Suicide Prevention Council that must include at least one member of the LGBTIQ+ community with lived experience with suicide, at least one veteran with similar experience, an indigenous community leader, and a person with leadership in suicide prevention.
"Every suicide has a devastating effect on families and communities and this legislation demonstrates our commitment to reduce the incidence of deaths by suicide in South Australia and to deliver best practice prevention strategies across the state," Health Minister Stephen Wade said.
Suicide Prevention Australia said the SA legislation could serve as a model for the commonwealth and other states and territories to follow.
"This is a good day for the suicide prevention sector and a huge step forward for our advocacy around a whole-of-government approach," Chief Executive Nieves Murray said.
"Standalone legislation ensures all agencies and officials are focused on how to prevent suicide across the community.
"We've seen similar legislation overseas succeed in driving down the rate of suicide."
The SA laws require every state government agency to adhere to the state suicide prevention plan and establish a local register and data-sharing of deaths and suicide attempts
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Australian Associated Press
