The Queensland Mental Health Commission is investing $1.05 million over two years to fund research into suicide and suicide prevention.
The Suicide Prevention Research Scheme will support high quality research to build a greater evidence base on what works to prevent suicide and strengthen Queensland’s ability to deliver high quality suicide prevention initiatives.
The scheme has been established as part of Phase Two of Every life: The Queensland Suicide Prevention Plan 2019-2029, and its commitment to improve the way data, evidence and evaluation is collected, used and shared to drive and improve suicide prevention.
The grant program will only be open to Queensland universities and will allow support for a diverse range of projects.
This includes across a broad range of research domains, such as service delivery, system reform, community, social determinants and technology, which will guide and inform future investments in suicide prevention in Queensland.
Research involving lived experience and groups disproportionally impacted by suicide will also be a research priority.
The Commission will manage the grant process and is also implementing a number of other initiatives to address and reduce suicide in Queensland.
As part of the grant scheme’s development, researchers and people with lived experience of suicide were consulted on a broader research agenda to help refine research priorities and ensure the grants can fund a range of suicide prevention activity.
Information about the grant scheme is available via the Commission’s website.
Quotes attributable to the Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic:
“Suicide is a far-reaching tragedy, that can impact anyone – across all age groups and walks of life.
“The Suicide Prevention Research Scheme will build a better evidence base on what works to prevent suicide and help establish Queensland as a leader in suicide prevention.
“Every life lost to suicide is one life too many and these grants will help to develop more targeted and effective suicide prevention initiatives in Queensland.
“Suicide is a community-wide issue and while we know some groups are more vulnerable – it can affect any one around us.
“These grants will contribute to further research around suicide and its causes and help us develop a better understanding on preventing suicide.
“It’s one of many initiatives underway at the Queensland Mental Health Commission to step up Queensland’s response to suicide and suicide prevention.
“It’s also encouraging that we have seen a downward trend in the number of suicides in Queensland over the last three years, both in number and per capita terms, in contrast with some other jurisdictions—and it is crucial this continues as our population grows.
Support services
Lifeline 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Communicating safely
Language matters. Review the Mindframe guidelines for safe reporting about mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide: https://mindframe.org.au/guidelines.
-ENDS-
Media Contact:
Kate Southwell 1300 855 945, 0409 275 385 or media@qmhc.qld.gov.au.
