The Queensland Mental Health Commissioner has welcomed new training for hospital emergency department staff to help identify and assist people at risk of suicide.
A new training initiative, announced by the Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick, will be rolled out across the state during the next 12 months.
Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Dr Lesley van Schoubroeck said better trained and more aware emergency workers would help save lives.
"This is a positive initiative that will lead to better outcomes for the mental health and wellbeing of Queenslanders," Dr van Schoubroeck said.
"The right training about the right issues and delivered in a way that is accessible and taken up by staff is essential," she said. "Customising training for emergency department staff is a great first step.
"One of the concerns I hear repeatedly is that families and people experiencing mental illness feel they are not listened to and are sent home from hospitals without support or their families being advised.
"Not all people who present at emergency departments as at risk of suicide do so because of current mental illness. This may be part of the picture, but often the crisis is as much to do with a sense of hopelessness, despair and burden stemming from everyday life due to relationship breakdowns, job loss and financial hardship.
"If a person in crisis is viewed only as mentally ill or not, this can reflect the treatment approach and may prevent them from getting the safety and support critically needed at the time.
"There are many people with lived experience who are willing and able to provide input to the development and delivery of this training. Their perspectives need to be considered."
The Queensland Mental Health Commission is developing a new whole-of-government suicide prevention action plan. Strengthening the capacity of the service system to improve the detection, assessment and appropriate management of people at risk of suicide has been identified as a priority.
Last year in Queensland, 627 people took their lives. For every person who dies by suicide, an estimated 30 people attempt suicide. The effects are felt by families, friends, work colleagues and the broader community.
Dr van Schoubroeck said the Queensland Mental Health Commission would continue to work across government and the community sector to implement further suicide prevention strategies.
