News and Events
4th Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association for Suicide Prevention
The 4th Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) is to be jointly hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) and The Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP).
The aim is to create a much needed discussion about the issue and to share new ideas, successes and challenges from a broad national and international perspective. Not only do we aim to create a discussion from the conference, but we hope to achieve a plan and direction for the Asia Pacific Region as a whole to move forward in suicide prevention.
The conference will be held in Brisbane at the Sofitel Hotel and will run from Wednesday 17th – Saturday 20th November, 2010. The conference will consist of a mixture of:
- Main plenary sessions
- Streaming sessions
- Workshops
- Master classes
- Welcome reception
- Opening ceremony
- Social events
- Closing ceremony
This conference will have a focus on not only science, but evidence based programs, research and those who have experienced the affects of suicide firsthand (carers / consumers).
This is the first time this type of International Conference has been jointly hosted by two organisations – it is an exciting and fantastic opportunity for Australia to demonstrate what we have to offer in the approach to suicide prevention.
For more information please visit the conference website www.suicideprevention2010brisbane.org
MensLine Australia reveals links between health and relationships
Crisis Support Services Inc., providers of MensLine Australia, are
urging Australian men to consider more than their physical health during
International Men’s Health Week (June 14 -20, 2010), affirming that the health
of a man’s relationships has a direct effect on his personal health and
wellbeing.
The 2010 Men’s Health Week message is loud and
clear – Australian men need take a proactive approach to their health in order
to live long, happy and healthy lives. But there’s much more to men’s health
than diet and exercise - healthy men have healthy relationships.
Related documents:
Federal Government Makes Compact with the Third Sector
On 17 March 2010 the Hon. Kevin Rudd, MP, Prime Minister of Australia launchedthe National Compact between the Australian Government and the Third Sector (the Sector).
Leaders from around 50 Sector bodies, Members of Parliament, Senators and seniorgovernment representatives who attended the launch in the Mural Hall at ParliamentHouse were welcomed to country by Aunty Agnes Shea OAM.The Prime Minister, the Hon Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Senator the Hon Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector and Sector leaders signed a canvas representing their commitment to the Compact’s Shared Vision:
…. to work together to improve social, cultural, civic, economic and environmental outcomes, building on the strengths of individuals and communities. This collaboration will contribute to improved community wellbeing and a more inclusive Australian society with better quality of life for all.
Related documents:
Senate enquiry into suicide in Australia
The Australian Commonwealth Government has recently announced a Senate Inquiry into Suicide in Australia. Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) welcomes this unique opportunity to recognise and promote the diverse experiences and views of Australians to help strengthen our community’s responses to suicide and self-harm prevention, intervention and postvention.
As Australia’s leading advocate for suicide and self-harm prevention, SPA intends to make a comprehensive submission to the Senate Inquiry. As part of SPA’s submission, we hope to represent the voices of Australians by including personal stories from people who have been affected by suicide.
Every story is important. We invite you to have your say by sharing your story and allowing us to incorporate it into SPA’s submission. Your story may reflect any number of possible personal experiences with suicide. For example, you may be a suicide attempt survivor, bereaved by suicide, a caregiver of someone who is suicidal or bereaved by suicide, a witness of suicide, you may have dealt with suicide in the workplace, have been impacted by media reporting of suicide, or simply be a concerned community member. Your personal story may also include ideas about how we can create a more connected, inclusive, resilient and safer community.
To gather these stories, we have created a dedicated page on the SPA website where people can upload their individual stories. Please visit www.suicidepreventionaust.org to find out more.
Personal stories can be submitted on the website until Wednesday 28th October 2009.