The New Western Australian Suicide Prevention Framework

The Mental Health Commission (Commission) is developing a new Western Australian Suicide Prevention Framework (Suicide Prevention Framework). The Suicide Prevention Framework will set out Western Australia’s approach to suicide prevention for the next five years and builds on the significant work carried out under previous national and statewide suicide prevention strategies, reports, and approaches. 

The Suicide Prevention Framework aims to provide a common understanding of suicide prevention for individuals, families and communities, non-government and community organisations, and all levels of government. It will describe the factors that can have an impact on suicide, as well as strategies and actions that can help to reduce and prevent suicide under new streams of wellbeing, early intervention, support, and postvention. 

The Suicide Prevention Framework will align with and has been informed by the following:

• The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035, developed by Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, which prioritises self-determination, Aboriginal-led solutions, and holistic wellbeing to guide the path towards effective reductions in suicide rates and flourishing communities. 
• The National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035, which seeks to address the social determinants and complex range of risk factors for suicide and suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and champion delivery of comprehensive and better coordinated support as key components of effective suicide prevention.
• Western Australian Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2025-2030 (draft), which highlights suicide prevention as a focus area for action, and guides the community, government, non-government, and private sector, setting the vision for mental health and alcohol and other drugs systems, services, and supports in Western Australia for the next five years.

We have also partnered with several organisations representing groups disproportionately impacted by suicide who have undertaken targeted consultation with their communities, including those with lived and living experience. Targeted consultation activities were held across the state, in regional and metropolitan areas, to extend the diversity of voices and perspectives heard.

If you have any questions, please email suicideprevention@mhc.wa.gov.au.

The Commission is seeking feedback on the draft Suicide Prevention Framework to further inform its development.

Download the draft Framework

To have your say on the draft Suicide Prevention Framework please fill out the survey.

Have your say

Feedback closes Wednesday 12 November 2025.

The final Suicide Prevention Framework is expected to be released in 2026.

The content of your feedback and contact details will not be published, however, may be subject to requests under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

If responding to this survey is not suitable for you, please email us at suicideprevention@mhc.wa.gov.au to enquire about other feedback options.

Western Australian Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Strategy

After complementing the Framework, in 2020 we funded the development and implementation of the first Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention strategy for Western Australia.

The strategy incorporates the development and implementation of regional Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Plans (Regional Plans) across Western Australia, delivered through the WA Community Liaison Officer program. The Regional Plans prioritise Aboriginal-led and locally endorsed initiatives that accommodate a culturally informed social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) approach to suicide prevention.

The Regional Plans are guided by the Western Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy principles of: nothing for Aboriginal people without Aboriginal people, enabling Aboriginal-led solutions and cultural understanding and respect.

The Regional Plans will prioritise Aboriginal-led and locally endorsed initiatives that integrate a culturally informed SEWB approach, recognising the centrality of SEWB in supporting holistic health outcomes for Aboriginal communities.