The Territory Labor Government is delivering on a significant election promise with consultation starting today to review the NT Mental Health Strategic Plan and align it with the fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.
The Northern Territory has the highest rate of suicide for young people and the Government is looking at ways to meet the social and emotional needs of Territorians, by defining priority areas and principles of service delivery across the NT.
Consultation will be open between January and March 2019 and will be hosted in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy. Suicide Prevention Community Forums will run concurrently with these sessions.
To register for a public consultation session, visit www.nt.gov.au/health. To review and provide feedback, visit www.haveyoursay.nt.gov.au
Following the review, it is anticipated the Mental Health Strategic Plan 2019-2025 will be released in May 2019.
Quotes from the Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:
“The Territory Labor Government recognises that suicide has a devastating impact on our community, with the NT suicide statistics, sadly the highest in the country.
“We are delivering on our election promise to halve our suicide rate over the next 10 years - This is an ambitious target and one that will require input from all sectors of our community to make sure we get it right.
“The NT Mental Health Strategic Plan will support the Suicide Prevention Framework which offers pathways forward in reducing this burden of loss and grief, and supporting all in our community to live lives filled with meaning and purpose.”
Quotes from the Assistant Minister for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health and Disabilities, Ngaree Ah Kit:
“Suicide doesn’t just affect one person or a family, it impacts on the entire community, so it’s only right that the community has a say on the importance of awareness and prevention.
“I believe community is the way forward for not only tackling the stigma sometimes associated with suicide, but it is a key component of driving that important prevention message.”
Media Contact: Ellie Clancy 0436 646 689