The national peak body for health and medical research innovation, Research Australia, welcomes the release of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035 (the Strategy) by the Federal Government and National Suicide Prevention Office, as well as the Government’s announcement of $69 million in funding to support suicide prevention initiatives and research.
The Strategy outlines a comprehensive plan to guide unified, government-wide efforts in suicide prevention.
Research Australia, with input and expertise from across the membership, made a submission during the consultation process in late 2024.
It is pleasing to see that some of Research Australia’s recommendations have been embedded into the final Strategy. In particular, the Strategy and Government’s announcement recognises the importance of research and data-driven approaches as well as the need to further embed lived experience into research and policy, data improvement aiming for better data linkages and evidence translation. The Strategy also includes actions to address social determinants pertaining to suicide and further upskill mental health and social service professionals.
While the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035 is a welcome and crucial step in providing a national, evidence-based suicide prevention system, but clearer pathways for long-term research funding and system-level coordination are needed to make a lasting impact.
It is critical the Government commits funding over the forward estimates of the Federal Budget to implementing and fully funding all aspects of the Strategy.
Research Australia thanks all members who contributed to our Submission last year. You can read our Submission in detail here.
