Mental health cuts reversed
The federal government has caved in to strong opposition to its $580 million cuts to a mental illness treatment program, agreeing to reverse one element of the cuts until next year. The changes to the Better Access program, announced by Mental Health Minister Mark Butler yesterday, mean patients referred to a psychologist by a GP will again be eligible for a further six sessions after the initial course of 10 sessions has been completed, provided the doctor agrees there are "exceptional circumstances".
R U OK? Day founder posthumously honoured
Suicide prevention campaigner Gavin Larkin lost his battle with cancer last September but his work through the founding of R U OK? Day lives on. The Sydneysider had a successful career in advertising before founding R U OK? Day in 2008, a national day of action aimed at preventing suicide by encouraging Australians to connect with each other.
New suicide prevention plan in SA
A new suicide prevention strategy in South Australia will focus on common risk factors as well as eduction and research. Local residents are being asked to comment on the plan developed by SA Health in collaboration with health experts, community members, carers and charities.
QLD gets new mental health service
The sunshine state is to get a new mental health support service for LGBT community members. The new project, made possible through funding provided under the Mental Health Disaster Recovery Package, is a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland governments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
Read the full story Doctors reach out to hurting Queenslanders
Doctors have banded together for a new campaign designed to reach out to vulnerable and fragile Queenslanders this Christmas. The Australian Medical Association-sponsored initiative 'Suicide Watch' is in response to Queensland doctors' concerns that pressure of the festive season, combined with the upcoming anniversary of last summer's floods and Cyclone Yasi, will prove too much for some.
Teen suicide alerts spike during exam periods
Education Minister Martin Dixon has ordered an investigation after schools registered "a spate of alerts" about the mental health of students during VCE exams last month. Department officials have found that, on average, one Victorian student attempts suicide each week of the school year.
Is it time to end the media's code of silence on suicide?
Alan Howe of the Herald Sun writes: It's one of the biggest public health issues, but you won't read about it. That's because newspapers have agreed to a unique code of silence. Are we right?
New Suicide Statistics Affirm the Need for Professional Services
Crisis Support Services Inc (CSS), provider of the national Suicide Call Back Service and SuicideLine Victoria, have said that the latest figures on suicide in Australia are no surprise. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009 – Causes of Death data) suicide remains the 14th leading cause of death in Australia, with 2132 Australians taking their own lives in 2009.
CSS’ Clinical Services General Manager, Mr Christopher Groot said that the new figures simply reaffirmed the need for professionally staffed, 24 hour support services for people at risk of suicide, their carers and those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
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