The WA Government has announced it will invest $3.3 million in specialised workforce training to be delivered by SafeSide Prevention.
The training will further support those working in mental health, alcohol and other drugs services, and youth services, to help staff respond during a suicidal crisis.
The training will extend and complement Western Australia’s suicide prevention initiatives funded under the Western Australian Suicide Prevention Framework 2021-2025.
“Tragically, too many Western Australians have experienced the devastating effects of a loved ones death by suicide,” said Mental Health and Health Minister, Meredith Hammat.
“Our government is committed to suicide prevention, and this investment will provide our mental health workforce with enhanced skills and training for the challenging job they face when confronted with a suicidal crisis in our community.
“Preventing suicide requires a whole of community commitment, and this is one of the ways we are working collaboratively to build a more effective suicide prevention system.”
As well as delivering training for our workforce, Safeside Prevention will also establish a Restore Network in Western Australia. Restore Networks provide organisational leaders with the tools, resources and support to collaborate on suicide prevention activities across the State.
This investment is part of the Government’s commitment to tackling suicide in Western Australia, which includes the development of a new Western Australian Suicide Prevention Framework 2025-2030 which will set out WA’s approach to suicide prevention for the next five years.
