On June 24, the National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO) released the National Suicide Prevention Outcomes Map, a world-first initiative that reframes how success in suicide prevention is measured and achieved.
Developed in partnership with people with lived and living experience, researchers, and service providers, the Outcomes Map is a key recommendation of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025–2035 which was released by the Australian Government with endorsement from all state and territory governments.
These two landmark initiatives ensure there is a clear direction for improvement, and a comprehensive way of measuring progress towards that direction.
Each year in Australia, more than 3,000 people die by suicide, with an estimated 55,000 attempts. Behind every number is a person, and a ripple effect of devastation across families, friends and communities.
Until now, progress in suicide prevention has largely been measured at the point of crisis—through deaths, emergency department presentations and service use. While vital, these indicators provide only a partial picture.
The Outcomes Map changes this. According to Dr Alex Hains, Head of the National Suicide Prevention Office:
“This is a world-first approach that moves us beyond counting tragedies to understanding how to prevent them. It puts people, especially those with lived experience, at the centre of what success looks like and it will give us the evidence we need to show governments what is working well and what needs to improve.”
The Strategy articulates an evidence-based model for an optimal suicide prevention system, one that:
- Acts early by addressing the drivers of distress, including adversity, discrimination and disadvantage
- Responds compassionately with accessible, trauma-informed and culturally safe supports
- Sees governments, services and communities working together to provide coordinated care, embed lived experience and improve data and accountability.
The Outcomes Map translates this model into practical, measurable outcomes, helping decision-makers understand what is working—and where change is needed. Importantly, it expands the definition of success to include whether people feel:
- connected and supported
- safe and respected
- able to access help when they need it
- given the opportunity to thrive.
A defining feature of the Outcomes Map is its world-first mixed-method approach, combining data with the real experiences of people who have faced suicidal distress.
This ensures that numbers are not interpreted in isolation, but alongside the stories that explain them.
Drawing on insights from people who have experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours, and those bereaved by suicide, members of the Lived Experience Partnership Group have played a central role in the design and development of the Outcomes Map.
“We have listened deeply to people who have pulled back from the brink, those who have survived an attempt, supported people in crisis and those who have lost their loved ones. Their insights have helped us understand not just what failed, but what could have made a difference. This has supported us to articulate the goals, outcomes and indicators in the knowledge that they are what matter most to people impacted by suicide,” Said Imbi Pyman, Co-Chair of the Lived Experience Partnership Group
With endorsement from all states and territories, the Strategy ensures suicide prevention is embedded across government policy—from health and social services to education and employment.
The Outcomes Map will:
- Connect community experiences with government decision-making
- Identify what protects people from suicidal distress
- Highlight what drives risk across different groups
- Support scaling of effective programs nationally.
Australia’s approach is already attracting international attention, with interest from countries including Ireland, the Netherlands and Uruguay. At a time when many nations are struggling to respond to rising distress, this Outcomes Map offers a practical, evidence-based model for change.
“Governments, services, communities and individuals all have a role to play. The Outcomes Map will enable us to measure whether Today, the National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO) releases the National Suicide Prevention Outcomes Map, a world-first initiative that reframes how success in suicide prevention is measured and achieved.
Developed in partnership with people with lived and living experience, researchers, and service providers, the Outcomes Map is a key recommendation of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025–2035 which was released by the Australian Government with endorsement from all state and territory governments.
These two landmark initiatives ensure there is a clear direction for improvement, and a comprehensive way of measuring progress towards that direction.
Each year in Australia, more than 3,000 people die by suicide, with an estimated 55,000 attempts. Behind every number is a person, and a ripple effect of devastation across families, friends and communities.
Until now, progress in suicide prevention has largely been measured at the point of crisis—through deaths, emergency department presentations and service use. While vital, these indicators provide only a partial picture.
The Outcomes Map changes this. According to Dr Alex Hains, Head of the National Suicide Prevention Office:
“This is a world-first approach that moves us beyond counting tragedies to understanding how to prevent them. It puts people, especially those with lived experience, at the centre of what success looks like and it will give us the evidence we need to show governments what is working well and what needs to improve.”
The Strategy articulates an evidence-based model for an optimal suicide prevention system, one that:
- Acts early by addressing the drivers of distress, including adversity, discrimination and disadvantage
- Responds compassionately with accessible, trauma-informed and culturally safe supports
- Sees governments, services and communities working together to provide coordinated care, embed lived experience and improve data and accountability.
The Outcomes Map translates this model into practical, measurable outcomes, helping decision-makers understand what is working—and where change is needed. Importantly, it expands the definition of success to include whether people feel:
- connected and supported
- safe and respected
- able to access help when they need it
- given the opportunity to thrive.
A defining feature of the Outcomes Map is its world-first mixed-method approach, combining data with the real experiences of people who have faced suicidal distress.
This ensures that numbers are not interpreted in isolation, but alongside the stories that explain them.
Drawing on insights from people who have experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours, and those bereaved by suicide, members of the Lived Experience Partnership Group have played a central role in the design and development of the Outcomes Map.
“We have listened deeply to people who have pulled back from the brink, those who have survived an attempt, supported people in crisis and those who have lost their loved ones. Their insights have helped us understand not just what failed, but what could have made a difference. This has supported us to articulate the goals, outcomes and indicators in the knowledge that they are what matter most to people impacted by suicide,” Said Imbi Pyman, Co-Chair of the Lived Experience Partnership Group
With endorsement from all states and territories, the Strategy ensures suicide prevention is embedded across government policy—from health and social services to education and employment.
The Outcomes Map will:
- Connect community experiences with government decision-making
- Identify what protects people from suicidal distress
- Highlight what drives risk across different groups
- Support scaling of effective programs nationally.
Australia’s approach is already attracting international attention, with interest from countries including Ireland, the Netherlands and Uruguay. At a time when many nations are struggling to respond to rising distress, this Outcomes Map offers a practical, evidence-based model for change.
“Governments, services, communities and individuals all have a role to play. The Outcomes Map will enable us to measure whether policies and support services are achieving the outcomes that matter to people. It will help shine a light on the full picture and help hold us all accountable for more effectively reducing the impact of suicide,” said Dr Hains.
To access the National Suicide Prevention Outcomes Map:
Outcomes Map | National Suicide Prevention Office | National Mental Health Commission
To access the Strategy:
https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/national-suicide-prevention-strategy