Hunter Institute welcomes Australian Government’s commitment to suicide prevention

The Hunter Institute of Mental Health has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Health, The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, of the Australian Government’s $47 million funding pledge towards national leadership and support in suicide prevention.

Hunter Institute of Mental Health Director Jaelea Skehan is pleased with the announcement and the commitment to suicide prevention efforts by the Australian Government.

“Our challenge now, as a suicide prevention sector, is that we work together and ensure the funding has real impacts for people on the ground,” she said.

Funding for the Hunter Institute of Mental Health includes investment in:

• The continuation of internationally recognised Mindframe National Media Initiative, which for almost two decades has provided effective guidance and training around portrayals of suicide and mental illness in mass communication. The Hunter Institute of Mental Health will partner with SANE Australia to deliver the Mindframe program, including the continuation of their Stigma Watch program.
• A new suicide prevention communication program, Life in Mind, which will aim to provide national and regional leadership through communication activities to assist the suicide prevention sector, and the organisations and individuals that support their work, in communities. 
• Funding to support translational research focused on the mental health and wellbeing of health professionals (with a focus on medical professionals) to be delivered in partnership with the Black Dog Institute, Orygen and United Synergies.

The Hunter Institute of Mental Health will now work closely with others who received leadership funding to ensure a coordinated approach, as well as collaborating with other national and state-based agencies working in suicide prevention in Australia; including Primary Health Networks which are leading suicide prevention efforts in city and regional communities.