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Introduction - Suicide prevention and first aid

General practice plays a central role in suicide prevention. GPs are often the first, most frequent and most trusted point of contact for people experiencing psychological distress, mental health difficulties, and periods of increased suicide risk. Many people who die by suicide have had contact with primary care in the months or weeks before their death, highlighting the opportunity for timely and compassionate intervention.
Australia’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025–2035 not only highlights the importance of this role, but also:

  • positions suicide prevention as a whole-of-government and whole-of-community responsibility
  • encourages a shift towards preventing suicidal distress before it arises – evidence indicates that early identification of distress, along with compassionate and relationshipbased interventions are critical components of effective suicide prevention
  • emphasises the need for trauma-informed care and lived-experience leadership
  • emphasises the need for coordinated responses across health, social, economic and community service systems.
Sitting alongside the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy, the Strategy stresses that, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, the suicide prevention role of GPs must be grounded in Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB). SEWB is a holistic understanding of health that includes connection to body, mind and emotions, as well as family, kinship, community, culture, Country, spirit and Ancestors.

The Strategy calls for the embedding of the principles of the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration into all aspects of mental health services, including:
  • genuine collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and communities, including in the development of mental health policy and the co-design of suicide prevention systems
  • provision of care that is culturally safe, responsive and selfdetermined
  • provision of care that acknowledges the impacts of colonisation, racism and intergenerational trauma on the wellbeing of First Nations peoples.

While mental disorders are an important risk factor for suicide, they cannot be considered in isolation: suicide risk is dynamic and shaped by the interaction of multiple factors that include poor mental health, physical illness, psychosocial stressors, trauma, substance use, limited social connection and limited access to care5.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, these risk factors are further influenced by historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation, systemic racism, and intergenerational trauma, along with strengths-based protective factors such as cultural identity, community connection and cultural practices.

Therefore, this resource promotes a person-centred and trauma-informed approach, recognising that risk can change over time and that protective relationships and continuity of care are powerful interventions.

This guide is intended as a practical support tool, and is not a replacement for clinical judgement, formal training or comprehensive guidelines. It does not constitute a standalone practice guide, therefore you are encouraged to continue engaging in ongoing professional development (including GPMHSC-accredited mental health education) and to draw on local pathways, specialist advice and community resources as needed.

The GPMHSC has also developed a companion resource, After suicide: A resource for GPs, available via the GPMHSC website. This resource:

  • supports GPs who are responding to suicide in their communities
  • includes the care of bereaved patients, colleagues and practice teams
  • is particularly relevant for GPs working in rural and remote settings.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data6 indicates that in 2024:

  • 3,307 lives were lost by suicide
  • suicide was the 16th leading cause of death overall in Australia in that year
  • between 54,000 – 65,000 suicide attempts were made.

Suicide prevention is a key government and community initiative and GPs have an important role in working to identify people at risk of suicide and ensuring they get the right help at the right time.

 

References

  1. The effectiveness of a suicide prevention program in primary care clinics supported by community public health resources: A difference-in-differences. [Accessed February 2026]
  2. RACGP Health of the Nation 2025. [Accessed February 2026]
  3. Contact patterns in health care before and after first registered suicide attempt or self-harm: A nationwide register study. [Accessed February 2026]
  4. Person-centred suicide prevention: key elements from the perspective of people living with suicidality. [Accessed February 2026]
  5. Suicide, self-harm and mental health. [Accessed February 2026]
  6. Intentional self-harm (suicide) deaths. [Accessed February 2026]

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Suicide prevention and first aid a resource for GPs