Politicians must do more for suicide prevention »

A leading psychologist at The Australian National University (ANU) has called on Australian politicians to make sensible funding and policy decisions about suicide prevention. Speaking ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday, Director of the Research School of Psychology and President of the Australian Psychological Society Professor Mike Kyrios said it was important to get policy and funding decisions right. "Suicide prevention research and programs need to be targeted. We need to think about what works for those at immediate risk of suicide, for groups that are at risk of suicide, and for whole communities," Professor Kyrios said. "Preventing suicide and the horrendous impact it has on families and communities is an essential component of any world-class mental health system." He also urged all Australians to speak up about mental health and suicide to help overcome the negative stigma that exists. "Don't ignore the facts - suicide is real and it hurts all of us," he said. "Supporting in silence and inaction maintains ignorance and stigma.