In 2017 Youth Action provided a submission to the NSW Parliament's Inquiry into the Prevention of Youth Suicide. Our submission highlighted the gaps and coordination and integration of suicide prevention activities and programs across all levels of government, the provision of services in regional and rural areas and the provision of services for vulnerable and at-risk groups.
We made 11 recommendations to the Inquiry, including to:
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Introduce compulsory mental health first aid training for general practitioners, suicide prevention providers, frontline workers and those who have high contact with young people (police, paramedics, nurses, social workers, teachers etc.).
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Introduce compulsory cultural and social awareness training for general practitioners, suicide prevention providers, frontline workers and those who have a high contact rate with young people (police, paramedics, nurses, social workers, teachers etc.) aimed at increasing awareness specific circumstances of groups affected by high rates of youth suicide.
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Ensure that NSW Government funding and resources are directed to programs and services run by community organisations that are representative of the vulnerable group the program is aimed at. Where services already exist, or this is not possible, ensure that members from the vulnerable or at-risk group across all demographics are thoroughly consulted and their input and ideas are incorporated into relevant programs, services and policies.
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Increase funding for suicide prevention activities that target vulnerable and at-risk populations through community-service providers with track records of delivering successful programs
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Increase the number of Student Support Officers in schools as part of Supported Students, Successful Students and provide information to school principals detailing the effectiveness of the program for student mental health and wellbeing.