The Commission acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the
lands and waters on which we live, work and learn.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away
What is the National Suicide Prevention Outcomes Framework?
The National Suicide Prevention Outcomes Framework (Outcomes Framework) is an approach to understanding whether suicide prevention efforts are making a meaningful difference over time. Drawing from the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035, it defines what success looks like and identifies how progress will be measured across the suicide prevention system.
The Outcomes Framework focuses on:
goals such as improving wellbeing, reducing suicidal distress, preventing suicide attempts and deaths, and reducing impact of suicide on individuals, families and communities
The Outcomes Framework is made-up of several components. To find out more please see the Outcomes Framework Overview
What is the Outcomes Map?
The Outcomes Map is a central part of the National Suicide Prevention Outcomes Framework. It describes the goals and outcomes for suicide prevention in Australia and shows how these are linked to indicators and data measures. It explains what changes are expected, how these changes will be measured and how they contribute to the success of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035.
This approach focuses on outcomes rather than activities, meaning it looks at whether actions lead to real improvements in people’s lives. It combines quantitative data (numbers) with qualitative data (stories) to provide a fuller understanding of change.
No. The Outcomes Map does not list services or show where to access support. It is designed to measure how the suicide prevention system is performing overall. People seeking help should use existing support services and directories such as Lifeline’s service finder or Ask Izzy.
The Outcomes Framework will provide public reports on how the suicide prevention system is performing and the National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO) will use these reports to inform advice to governments on how to improve.
Service providers can use the Outcomes Map to shape programs, monitor performance and evaluate effectiveness.
Governments can use the Outcomes Map to align suicide prevention policy and funding approaches and report on their performance.
Non-Government and Community Organisations can use the Outcomes Map to support planning and reduce duplication of efforts, while connecting local efforts with national priorities.
Progress will be publicly reported by the National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO) in partnership with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Reporting will include both detailed indicator reporting and broader system-level insight reporting.
To find out more please see the Data Overview (p.12)
How is data collected?
The Outcomes Framework uses both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data (numbers) provide measurable trends over time, while qualitative data (stories) capture people’s experiences. Quantitative data is drawn from existing sources, and qualitative data will come from new collections specifically designed for the Outcomes Framework as well as from existing publicly available sources.
To find out more please see the Data Overview (p.10)
How can individuals contribute?
Individuals with a lived and living experience of suicide can contribute by completing existing surveys such as experience of support or national mental health surveys, and by sharing their experiences through online surveys specifically for the Outcomes Framework. People from groups that are disproportionately impacted by suicide will be recruited to participate in panels to tell their stories every couple of years. People can also contribute through telling their stories online in community news or blogs for example. These approaches are designed to ensure lived experience informs how progress is measured and understood.
Organisations, such as, community peaks and support providers, can contribute by publishing reports on their communities or service performance, and by aligning their performance and evaluation approaches with the Outcomes Map. This will help to demonstrate how their work contributes to national goals and outcomes and can also contribute to the Outcomes Framework reporting.
How does the Outcomes Framework account for different groups?
The Outcomes Framework uses a whole-of-population approach while analysing quantitative data (numbers) and qualitative data (stories) in more detail to understand differences between groups and communities.
The goals and outcomes are designed to resonate with what is important for people across different communities. We understand that progress for these goals and outcomes may be experienced differently by groups that are disproportionately impacted by suicide.
The approach to quantitative and qualitative data is designed to improve the visibility of groups disproportionately impacted by suicide in the measurement of the goals and outcomes. The qualitative data approach is tailored to collect data from different communities, and the quantitative data will be improved over time, and where possible data can be sourced that focuses specifically on different communities. Diverse perspectives have and will inform the data approach.
Diverse perspectives are also engaged during monitoring and reporting to inform what the data means, how it should be understood, and what improvements should happen.
The Data Quality Framework ensures data is reliable, relevant, and ethically managed. It includes clear criteria for assessing quality and supports ongoing improvement over time.
All data collection and reporting follow a trauma-informed approach, ensuring individuals cannot be identified and sensitive information is handled safely.
The Outcomes Framework will continue to improve over time as new data becomes available and feedback from stakeholders is incorporated into future updates.
The Commission acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters on which we live, work and learn.
Diversity
The Commission is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. The Commission welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Lived Experience
We acknowledge the individual and collective contributions of those with a lived and living experience of mental ill-health and suicide, and those who love, have loved and care for them. Each person’s journey is unique and a valued contribution to Australia’s commitment to mental health suicide prevention systems reform.
