US hero cop addresses suicide prevention

A former California highway patrol officer who dealt with hundreds of suicide attempts while working on the Golden Gate Bridge will speak at a forum on workplace suicide prevention in Perth today.

  • Perth forum focuses on suicide prevention in the workplace

  • State Government invests $21 million in suicide prevention

A former California highway patrol officer who dealt with hundreds of suicide attempts while working on the Golden Gate Bridge will speak at a forum on workplace suicide prevention in Perth today.

Mental Health Minister Helen Morton, who officially opened the event, said Kevin Briggs was a powerful speaker who had seen the impact of suicide more often and more closely than most.

"I am delighted to have Kevin Briggs here in Western Australia and hear his advice for people working in stressful occupations," Mrs Morton said.

The Minister said the Workplace Suicide Prevention Forum was aimed at people in high stress occupations including Police, Corrective Services officers, firefighters, paramedics, mental health workers, and people working in the resources sector.

"Workplace suicide prevention is one of the next frontiers for suicide prevention efforts in Western Australia," she said.

"People spend a third of their waking hours, and sometimes more, at work so it is important that workplaces are equipped to recognise suicidal behaviour and respond appropriately.

"The State Government, through the One Life suicide prevention strategy, has invested heavily in suicide prevention training and would like to build on that in future directions for suicide prevention.

"We would also like to work with organisations - government, non-government and private sector - to create mentally healthy workplaces."

Mrs Morton said the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) and the Mental Health Commission had been developing a new State-wide suicide prevention strategy, which would be released soon.

 

       Fact File

  • Kevin Briggs presented via Skype at a previous forum for front line responders in September 2014 and has been brought to Perth by MATES in Construction WA

  • Today's forum was organised by the MCSP

  • The State Government has invested $21 million into the Statewide Suicide Prevention Strategy since 2009

  • Video link

Minister's office - 6552 6900