The Queensland Mental Health Commission is making a significant investment in suicide prevention by allocating $1.05 million over the next two years to fund critical research aimed at reducing suicide rates in the state.
The newly established Suicide Prevention Research Scheme will support high-quality research projects that aim to build a stronger evidence base for what works in preventing suicide. This initiative is part of Phase Two of Every Life: The Queensland Suicide Prevention Plan 2019-2029, which is committed to improving the collection, use, and sharing of data to enhance suicide prevention efforts across Queensland.
The Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said 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,” Mr Frkovic said.
The grant program is exclusively open to Queensland universities and will support a wide range of research projects. These projects will cover various domains, including service delivery, system reform, community initiatives, social determinants, and the use of technology, all aimed at guiding and informing future investments in suicide prevention in Queensland. A particular focus will be on research involving lived experience and groups disproportionately impacted by suicide.
“Suicide is a community-wide issue and while we know some groups are more vulnerable – it can affect any one around us,” Mr Frkovic said.
“These grants will contribute to further research around suicide and its causes and help us develop a better understanding on preventing suicide.
The Commission will oversee the grant process as part of its broader effort to strengthen Queensland’s response to suicide and suicide prevention. In developing the grant scheme, researchers and individuals with lived experience of suicide were consulted to refine research priorities and ensure the grants fund a diverse range of suicide prevention activities.
“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.”
For those in need of support, services are available:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
