November 03, 2016

Holyoake has appointed Jo Drayton – a highly experienced suicide prevention specialist – to coordinate the Suicide Prevention 2020 strategy in the Wheatbelt. She will work with existing services and organisations to form many collaborative partnerships.

It is an unfortunate fact that the average number of deaths to suicide in Australia rose to 3,027 in 2015*. That’s more than 8 lives per day.

Sadly, the rate of suicide in Western Australia is above the national average; we lose a life almost every day. The impact of this is felt deeply and affects the entire community. The Mental Health Commission is determined to reverse this with its Suicide Prevention 2020 strategy.

This strategy is based on evidence from the latest research and recommendations. It seeks to balance investment in community awareness and stigma reduction, mental health and suicide prevention training and coordinated services for high risk groups. Among the many initiatives is the placement of a Suicide Prevention Coordinator as part of Holyoake’s Community Alcohol & Drug Services team in the Wheatbelt.

Every suicide is tragic not just for the person, but for the family, friends and broader community as well. The Suicide Prevention 2020 strategy aims for a holistic approach to encourage everyone to play a role in saving lives. Suicide is preventable; together we can save lives.

*Australian Bureau of Statistics, Causes of Death 2015