EXIT INTERNATIONAL
WORKSHOP
1102. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the workshop held in
Karrinyup on 2 November 2018 by Exit International in which suicide techniques
were to be detailed.
(1) Was the minister or any of the
minister's staff aware of this workshop?
(2) Has the
minister or any of the minister's staff been briefed by the Mental
Health Commissioner about the implications of such a workshop being held in our
state?
(3) Does the
government's suicide prevention strategy include a strategy to counter
the dangerous messages emanating from such workshops?
(4) If yes to (3), what is that
strategy?
(5) If no to (3),
will the minister undertake to seek advice from the Mental Health Commission
about developing such a strategy?
Hon ALANNA
CLOHESY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) No.
(3) No; however,
action area 1 in the suicide prevention strategy involves a communications
strategy, Think Mental Health, which is aimed at increasing public awareness,
identifying issues, highlighting available services and encouraging positive
steps to seeking help. The statewide campaign Think Mental Health aims to build
community mental health and wellbeing and reduce mental health issues, as well
as increase mental health literacy in Western Australia.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) Yes, the minister will ask the
Mental Health Commission for advice.