The Suicide Prevention Act (SPA) establishes a legislative mechanism that aims to reduce the incidence of suicide in South Australia and, as such, is the first of its kind for any jurisdiction in Australia. The SPA promotes a whole-of-government and whole-of-community focus on suicide prevention, underpinned by sustained engagement with the community, government and non-government agencies.
Key features of the SPA include the establishment of the Suicide Prevention Council (a statutory body that replaced the former Premier’s Council on Suicide Prevention) and the prescription of requirements for the State Suicide Prevention Plan. The SPA requires the experience and expertise of the Council’s membership to be representative of priority population groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, veterans and LGBTIQA+ groups.