National Suicide Prevention Strategy
The National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) is an initiative funded by the National Action Plan on Mental Health. The focus of the NSPS includes people of all age groups and those identified as being at high risk. These include young men, rural residents, the elderly, people with substance use problems, prisoners, rural communities, people with mental illnesses, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
National Action Plan on Mental Health
In July 2006 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a National Action Plan on Mental Health. The plan sets specific policy directions for action that emphasises coordination and collaboration between government, private and non-government providers.
The National Action Plan on Mental Health focuses on:
- promotion
- prevention
- early intervention
- improving mental health services
- providing opportunities for increased recovery and participation in the community including:
| | - employment
- more stable accommodation
- better coordinated care
- building workforce capacity
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National suicide prevention projects
The National Suicide Prevention Strategy funds a number of programs, some jointly funded with the National Mental Health Strategy. The programs, which operate in a range of settings, use population-based approaches with an emphasis on community capacity building.
Local and regional suicide prevention projects
The NSPS provides funding for a range of service-oriented community-based initiatives that are currently being rolled out across all states and territories.