Page 1470 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 March 2012
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I think Mr Hanson has an amendment. I do not know if it has been circulated, but—
Mr Hanson: I have a revised version coming.
MS BRESNAN: I will address that when that revised version comes around.
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Minister for Health and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services) (5.35): I thank Ms Bresnan for raising the important issue of suicide, the stigma attached to the open discussion of suicide and the importance of prevention across the community. The government will be supporting the motion, the amendment and, I can flag, the amendment that will be moved by Mr Hanson.
In 1992 there were 31 deaths by suicide recorded in the ACT. In 2009 there were 32 deaths recorded, although the population had grown by 50,000 people during that time. Suicide rates in the ACT over the last 10 years have regularly been lower than the national average, although, tragically, in the ACT in 1997, 1999, 2001 and, recently, 2010 more than 40 people died from suicide in each of those years.
Local and national statistics indicate a long-term trend of gradual improvement in the suicide rate. While there has been a long-term trend of a reduction in the suicide rate, there is always more that can be done at all levels of government and the community to address the underlying causes of suicide.
Some of the common risk factors associated with completed suicide are serious mental illness, relationship breakdown or difficulties, alcohol, job loss or job stress, financial or legal problems, chronic or terminal physical illness, experience of bullying or harassment and social isolation. As you can see from this, the factors influencing the risk of suicide are broad, and many of the levers that affect the suicide rate lie beyond the direct influence of health ministers and, indeed, public mental health services.
Suicide is a tragedy not only for the individual; it leaves profound emotional, social and economic effects on families and communities. It is estimated that between seven and 10 other people are directly affected by a completed suicide. This is an enormous ripple effect within the community, with approximately 450 Canberrans bereaved by suicide in 2010. We know that many of the people who complete suicide have been in contact with primary mental health, such as their general practitioner or the public mental health provider.
The government now spends over $90 million per year on mental health services. Last year I had the privilege, along with Ms Bresnan and Mr Hanson, of being at the opening of the adult mental health unit at the Canberra Hospital. The government has also provided the mental health assessment unit in the emergency department to intervene in those most urgent emergencies. These recent investments do provide additional resources for people at risk of suicide because of mental illness, for their carers and for their families. In addition, we are already well down the track of planning a new adolescent and young person mental health unit.
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