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
National Suicide Prevention Strategy - Community Toolkit
This toolkit has been developed to help communities across the nation have conversations about suicide and take practical action to prevent it.
COMMUNITY FOCUSED. EMPOWERING. PRACTICAL.
This Community Toolkit has been developed as an accompanying resource to the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035 (the Strategy) and the National Suicide Prevention Outcomes Framework (Outcomes Framework). The Community Toolkit has been created to help communities hold conversations about suicide and take action to prevent it.
Communities know their people, their strengths and the challenges they face best.
The resources below have been designed for anyone who wants to strengthen wellbeing, connection and hope in their community. Whether you are a community leader, service provider, workplace, special interest group or an individual who wants to make a difference, we are pleased you’re here.
These resources are designed to help communities:
identify local priorities and barriers to support
inspire collaborative action that reflects community strengths, and
tailor suicide prevention activities to meet local needs.
We recognise that people bring different expertise to these conversations. We have aimed to provide enough guidance and materials so that someone who is new to facilitating a community conversation has everything they need to support the opportunity. Users are encouraged to pick and choose the materials that are most suitable for your use and your community.
The toolkit includes:
An adaptable slide deck to support safe community conversations about suicide prevention, with suggested prompts, talking points and activities that can be adjusted to suit local needs.
A facilitator guide to gently structure each discussion, including introductions, respectful engagement, discussion prompts and ways to support participant wellbeing.
An animation explainer and videos to support engagement.
Templates for holding a discussion, including administrative materials, newsletters, media releases, social media and in-session icebreakers.
Used together, these resources can help you plan, promote and deliver respectful, informed and action-oriented conversations about suicide prevention. It is our hope you will find them useful for tailoring discussions to support your community to translate the Strategy and Outcomes Framework into local evidence-based action.
Lasting reductions in suicide deaths, suicide attempts and suicidal distress can only be achieved through collective effort. It is through a shared commitment from communities and governments across Australia that we will create safer, more connected and supportive communities. So, thank you for all that you do to facilitate local conversations about suicide prevention.
If you conduct a community conversation, we would love to hear how you go. Please keep in touch at: nspo@nspo.gov.au
Click on the components below to view and download the toolkit resources to host a session in your own community
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.
