Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation

A National Health Promotion Charity

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Media Release
23 November 2023

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Suicide and attempted suicide are the commonest causes of death and injury between the ages of 15 and 49, male or female, in Australia.” (ABS) 

Suicide and attempted suicide are the commonest causes of death and injury in our country at any age between 15 and 45. It is more than twice as common as car accidents as a cause of death and injury. (Australian Bureau of Statistics; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare).”

The Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation today said the fear of not knowing what to say or being frightened of saying the wrong thing is a common barrier in the fight against suicide.

 

Clinical Associate Professor David Horgan, the founder of the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation said 40% of all people will have contact at some time in life with a person close to us who has strong suicidal ideas, which may be brief or go on for weeks or longer.”

“Establishing a connection with a family member, friend, or workmate to let them know you are there to help them can save their life.”  

Dr. Horgan, said the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation, had developed the “Prevent A Suicide: What to Say” programme aimed at giving individuals and the community a safety net to immediately wrap around anyone close to them who mentions suicide, so that the person’s safety can become a shared effort involving both the community and professionals. 

The free app “Prevent A Suicide: What to Say”, is a bank of medically approved text messages which family and friends can download with one click and send to a suicidal person as texts or WhatsApp appropriate messages. 

Dr. Horgan said “Prevent A Suicide – What to Say” is more than just an app. It is a way to show someone that you care that you understand, and that you are there for them.”

“It is a way to prevent a suicide by sending a message, saving a life!”

Dr. Horgan said “having direct free access to the “Prevent a Suicide – What to Say App” twenty-four hours a day through a computer or mobile phone is a major advantage for people in an emergency and can be easily shared”. 

The In Tough Times Text website and the “Prevent A Suicide: What to Say” app are available 24/7. No training is required. There are no signups which ensures privacy.  

Download on App Store: “Prevent A Suicide: What to Say
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/prevent-a-suicide-what-to-say/id6446113587

Download on Google Play: “Prevent A Suicide: What to Say
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.au.prevent.iitapp&pli=1

Suicide Statistics In Australia

“Suicide and attempted suicide are the commonest causes of death and injury between the ages of 15 and 49, male or female, in Australia.” (ABS) 

“Over 3 million Australians have had serious thoughts of suicide and over one million have attempted suicide in their lifetime.” (ABS)

“Most people are afraid of saying the wrong thing or don’t know what to say to a person mentioning suicide.” (Resolve Strategic 2022)

Clinical Associate Professor David Horgan, MB, BCH, BAO, DPM, MRCPSYCH, MPHIL, FRANZCP, FRCPEDIN, MD Founder, Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation, is available for interview. He is based in Melbourne and is available for interview on Zoom.

Media Enquiries:
Contact Ron Smith OAM, Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation
Mobile: 0417 329 201 

to arrange an interview with Clinical Associate Professor David Horgan, the founder of the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation

About the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation
The Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation provides Australia-wide suicide prevention and intervention 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have been funded solely by donations from the public since our foundation in 1997. We base our intervention programmes on innovative approaches using internet technology.

We provide immediate answers and recommendations to the user suffering severe emotional pain, the main factor in suicide, and to their family and friends, irrespective of the time and location, when people need some basic assistance, information and links to other well known approved organisations.

www.InToughTimesText.org.au

*Important Disclaimer: Our texts are approved by those who themselves had suicidal thoughts, and by medical and other mental health professionals. This site is medical information only, and is not to be taken as diagnosis, advice or treatment, which can only be decided by your own doctor or mental health professional.

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Australian Suicide
Prevention Foundation

For over 20 years we’ve provided Australia-wide suicide prevention to every and any vulnerable Australian, whether they be in metropolitan, rural or isolated areas.

Support

By donating to or otherwise assisting inToughTimesText.org (a programme from ASPF.org) you are helping hundreds of thousands of people who have or will have suicidal ideas.

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