Hunt firm onsuicide help

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has assured 180 Pilbara residents who signed a petition calling for more action on indigenous suicide in the region that tackling the issue remained a top priority for the Government. The petition, started by Sheinese Hall on February 12, called on the House of Representatives to launch an inquiry into the high rate of indigenous suicide within the Pilbara and the provision and service delivery of mental health services. The petition says suicide was not just an issue of mental health, but one of public health, that required a co-ordinated effort from all levels of government, health care systems, corporate sectors, and community groups. There are 186 signatures on the petition at the time of print, just two weeks after it was launched. In response, a spokesperson for the Federal Minister for Health said reducing indigenous suicide rates and improving access to mental health and suicide prevention services for indigenous people remained significant priorities. “Through the 2019-20 Budget, the Government announced specific funding to strengthen support for indigenous communities, including funding for indigenous mental health and suicide prevention programs,” they said. “This included $4.5 million for the establishment of Gayaa Dhuwi Australia — a national indigenous mental health and suicide prevention leadership body.” The spokesperson said Scott Morrison announced Christine Morgan as his national suicide prevention adviser last July. “As part of this role, Ms Morgan is developing options to improve the whole-of-government co-ordination and delivery of suicide prevention activities across portfolios to address the complex issues contributing to Australia’s suicide rate,” they said. The petition was launched two weeks after the Australian Government announced $64 million in suicide prevention and mental health initiatives, including $11 million to continue the headspace Pilbara regional trial and to establish and operate headspace centres in Port Hedland and Karratha. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, suicide rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is more than double the national number. In 2018, suicide accounted for 5.5 per cent of all indigenous deaths, with 169 cases, compared to 2 per cent for non-indigenous people.Lifeline: Lifeline 13 11 14