Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

In line with calls from the Australian Association of Social Workers, Alison has been calling for the registration of the social work profession. Social workers are highly trained professionals with degree qualifications. They are trained to deal appropriately with people who are at great risk, and often experiencing serious mental health issues. If social workers were not well-trained, there is a great risk that vulnerable people could receive substandard or unethical care.

The death by suicide of a loved one leaves a devastating and lasting impact on family members left behind. The lifelong impact on children is profound, placing them at a higher risk of dying by suicide three times higher than the general community. Children bereaved are at increased high risk of having mental health issues.

It is vital that we support children both in the short and long-term through the traumatic experience of losing a parent or loved one to suicide.