Concerns that youth suicides in the ACT are being underestimated could lead to improvements in data collection, but work on a national database appears to have stalled.
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The ACT government has agreed to two out of three recommendations from an inquiry into youth suicide and self-harm in the territory, including a commitment to improve the collection of ACT data – especially in receiving consistent data from community-based organisations.
An ACT Legislative Assembly inquiry handed down its report in June recommending the ACT continue to push for a national database on self-harm and suicide, funding negotiations with the Commonwealth continue, and the Legislative Assembly consider "re-examining this matter when funding and research outcomes are made public".
The government noted the third recommendation.
Health Minister Simon Corbell tabled the government's response to the inquiry on Tuesday.
"Coordination, collaboration and integration have been aspirational words used for some time to describe how our mental health programs and services should be working in unison, as distinct from the haphazard and disjointed system it has instead evolved into – despite the best of intentions from all parties involved," the response said.
"[The] ACT government recognises the opportunity the current landscape provides in turning aspirations into actual on-the-ground outcomes within ACT's mental health and suicide prevention sector."
In its submission to the committee in April, the government reported that work to develop a national child death and injury database was underway, but in the response released on Tuesday, the government indicated the "work to develop this national database was not being progressed at this time".
"Given the Commonwealth's shift towards outcomes-focused measurement, ACT Health expects that nationally consistent data or a specific key performance indicator will inevitably be required to successfully monitor and evaluate suicide prevention outcomes at the regional level," the government's response said.
The government also agreed to a recommendation to provide an update on federal government mental health funding negotiations.
The Capital Health Network is expected to provide a comprehensive mental health and suicide needs assessment by March, followed by a regional mental health and suicide prevention plan, according to the government's response.
"This plan will aim to support a broader regional model of stepped care, support the process of integration with state services, make optimal use of available workforce and resources, and help to target investment by primary health networks in mental health and suicide prevention activity," the response said.
The government said schools also had an important role to play in the prevention and intervention of suicide in young people.
"Schools are committed to developing and maintaining safe schools through a whole-school and evidence-based approach to building the social and emotional skills to build self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and social management capabilities of students that in turn support their ability to develop and maintain relationships and enhance resilience. These elements are strong protective factors," it said.
For help and support, call Lifeline 13 11 14, beyondblue 1300 22 4636, Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (24/7 crisis support) or headspace 1800 650 890.
