Suicide prevention forum for frontline staff

More than 100 police, fire and emergency services personnel, corrective services officers, mental health emergency workers and school psychologists are attending a forum today in Leederville to enhance their skills to effectively address suicide and critical incidents.

Opening the event, Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention Frontline Responders' Forum, taking place one week before World Suicide Prevention Day, would discuss best practice, risk management and how to develop co-ordinated responses.

Mrs Morton said the forum would have the opportunity to learn from former US police officer Kevin Briggs who would deliver the keynote presentation. Mr Briggs spent many years patrolling the southern end of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, a popular site for suicide attempts.

"Mr Briggs spoke to hundreds of people intending to take their own life over his 23-year long career as a California Highway Patrol Officer and has some powerful advice for those working on the front line," she said.

"Following Mr Briggs' address, a panel of experts from across the public service will discuss their experiences and take questions from the floor. This discussion will give frontline responders a unique opportunity to share information on current best practice and how to support staff who have been involved in a traumatic incident."

The Minister said the new Gatekeeper suicide prevention training program and manual would also be launched at the forum.

"The highly regarded Gatekeeper suicide prevention training program has been updated and I'm pleased to see the addition of evidence based approaches to help prevent suicides in WA," she said.

Under the State Suicide Prevention Strategy, the State Government has invested $21million into suicide prevention initiatives since 2009. In addition, the Mental Health Commission provided $1.7million last year to crisis helplines, counselling and suicide prevention services.

The State Government's next multi-year suicide prevention strategy is currently under development by the Mental Health Commission.

Minister's office - 6552 6900