Suicide Prevention Task Force Report 1997

The Suicide Prevention Task Force was established by the Premier and the Minister for Health in January 1997, to conduct an intensive public investigation into the nature and extent of suicide, particularly youth suicide, in Victoria.

The Executive Summary and Task Force Report which follow contain a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy structured in a framework comprising:

• Prevention: strategies which strengthen the capacity of individuals to cope with life's stresses and reduce potential vulnerability to suicide.
  
• Early Intervention: services which are responsive and which provide continuity of care to support people who may have particular social, health or emotional problems that make them more vulnerable to suicidal behaviour.
  
• Intervention: accessible and immediate crisis support services for individuals who are exhibiting suicidal behaviour.
  
• Postvention: immediate and ongoing post suicide supports for bereaved families and friends, witnesses to suicide, the immediate community, first responders and professionals.

The following chapters are in "Adobe Acrobat" (pdf) format.

• Executive Summary (PDF file 220k)
• Letter to the Premier from Mr Peter Kirby, Chair, Suicide Prevention Task Force (PDF file 60k)
• 1. Introduction and Conceptual Overview (PDF file 126k)
• 2. Dimensions of the Problem (PDF file 252k)
• 3. Major Risk Factors Contributing to Suicide (PDF file 189k)
• 4. Current Services and Projects: A Context (PDF file 189k)
• 5. Primary Prevention (PDF file 284k)
• 6. Early Intervention (PDF file 221k)
• 7. Intervention Services (PDF file 221k)
• 8. Postvention (PDF file 158k)
• 9. Implementing Victoria's Suicide Prevention Strategy (PDF file 158k)
• Recommendations (PDF file 126k)
• Appendices (PDF file 286k)