Twenty-five members have been appointed to two new NSW suicide prevention councils in a bid to guide and strengthen efforts to reduce suicide across the state.
The Councils – the NSW Suicide Prevention Council and Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Council – are a key component of the NSW Suicide Prevention Act 2025, which was a key election commitment by the Minns Government and is one of the most significant reforms ever undertaken in mental health.
The new councils are made up of individuals with firsthand experience of suicidal distress, people who have lost someone to suicide and carers supporting people experiencing suicidal distress.
NSW Suicide Prevention Council Co-Chair, Dr Jaelea Skehan (pictured, right) said she looked forward to the opportunity and the challenge of co-chairing the Council and supporting work that turns the Act into action.
“We need to stay focused on what targeted and coordinated action across government can achieve, while also remembering that real change must be felt by people in the places where they live, learn, work and connect,” she said.
“I’m committed to ensuring that our advice is practical, evidence‑informed and grounded in the needs and strengths of people and communities across NSW.”
The councils also include recognised experts, representatives from government, prominent sportspeople, and community members from groups that are disproportionately impacted by suicide.
“For too long, suicide was seen as the responsibility of the health system alone, overlooking the many complex and interconnected factors that contribute to suicide and suicidal distress,” said Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson.
“This legislation, and these councils, are about doing things differently — recognising that preventing suicide requires action across all parts of government and the community.
“People interact with NSW Government services every day, and that’s why this government passed world-leading suicide prevention laws last year to make every arm of government more accountable in saving lives.
“The Suicide Prevention Councils will play a vital role in guiding the Mental Health Commission of NSW, ensuring a coordinated, evidence based approach so that every government agency can contribute to preventing suicide and supporting people in distress.”
The Aboriginal Council is further strengthened by the inclusion of respected elders, who will provide valuable cultural insight and guidance to support the development of the statewide Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Plan.
Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Council Chair, Matt Trindall (pictured, left) said he was honoured to Chair the Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Council and Co-Chair of the Suicide Prevention Council.
“As Aboriginal people, most of us have been impacted by suicide in some way. We have an opportunity with these Councils to guide and shape the way suicide prevention is formed for mob,” he said.
“I am looking forward to being a part of this journey, to create better outcomes for our people and reduce Aboriginal deaths by suicide.”
With guidance and advice from the Councils, the Mental Health Commission of NSW will now lead the development of a new statewide suicide prevention plan for the broader community and an Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Plan.
These plans will provide a clear framework for coordinated, evidence-based action across Government, reinforcing that suicide prevention is not the responsibility of the health system alone, but a shared responsibility across all agencies.
“The NSW Government has entrusted the Commission with this significant work to lead the development of two whole of government suicide prevention plans for the people of NSW,” said NSW Mental Health Commissioner, Jennifer Black.
“The Act recognises that all parts of government have a role to play in reducing and preventing suicide and suicidal distress, and I welcome the opportunity to work with government agencies to ensure practical action and collective impact.
“The establishment of the Suicide Prevention Councils marks a significant step forward, bringing together lived experience expertise, community members, Aboriginal Elders, academics and other suicide prevention experts, to ensure the Commission has diverse perspectives to guide the development of the plans.”
The inaugural meetings of the new councils were held in May.
You can find out more about the Councils and efforts to improve suicide prevention on the Mental Health Commission’s website.
