Hon Helen Morton MLC — Suicide prevention programs take centre court

Suicide prevention will take centre court on World Suicide Prevention Day today, with Mental Health Minister Helen Morton making two major announcements aimed at improving mental health and reducing suicide.

Building on State Government suicide prevention initiatives already under way, Mrs Morton said the Mental Health Commission would invest $340,000 over the coming year in two initiatives designed to raise awareness of suicide prevention – a $100,000 partnership with Netball WA and $240,000 for Suicide Prevention Community Small Grants.

The partnership between One Life WA and Netball WA will echo the highly successful partnership between One Life WA and the WA Football Commission. The partnership aims to further raise awareness of suicide prevention and teach players how to approach a team mate they think might be struggling.

“The agreement between One Life WA and Netball WA will see 400 coaches trained in mental health and suicide prevention,” the Minister said.

“The training will increase awareness and understanding of suicidal behaviour to ensure coaches and players can be confident in supporting someone in need of help.

“It will also see two highly regarded members of the netball community – head coach of the West Coast Fever and former elite netball player Stacey Rossman, and Australian Under 21 star defender and West Coast Fever player Courtney Bruce, sign on as ambassadors for the State’s 18,000 netball players aged 15 and over.”

Mrs Morton said 25 organisations from Esperance to Fitzroy Crossing would benefit from the second round of the Suicide Prevention Community Small Grants program, sharing a total funding pool worth $240,000 to run suicide prevention initiatives over the next six months.

“This year’s second round of Suicide Prevention Community Small Grants will fund a range of projects, from a digital media project to give those with experience of suicide a voice, to a presentation on bullying and cyberbullying for 150 South-West students and parents,” she said.

“This is just a small sample of some of the fantastic projects we are funding to build community strength and boost resilience.”