The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and the National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) have launched a new website as part of Australia's first National Suicide and Self-harm Monitoring System. You can visit the website here: aihw.gov.au/suicide-self-harm-monitoring
Given that more than 3,000 people die from suicide in Australia every year, with over 65,000 suicide attempts, the website aims to increase access to information and promote a more informed understanding of suicide. It will be updated regularly with data from all states and territories across Australia. Critically, it will enable governments and support services to adequately track and respond to suicide and self-harm by:
- explaining the nature and extent of suicidal and self-harming behaviours
- improving the quality and breadth of data available to help identify trends, emerging areas of concern and to inform responses
- highlighting those at increased risk.
The website will also be helpful on a local level, supporting the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative's contribution to the Towards Zero Suicides initiatives, which you can read about here.
Note: The Mindframe Guidelines for sensitive and appropriate reporting on suicide are an essential part of the new National Suicide and Self-Harm Monitoring System. You can read up on the Guidelines here.