Speaking to theHeraldabout the possibility of legislation last year,former South Australian Liberal parliamentarian John Dawkins – who championed the suicide prevention act in his state – said while the changes had not led to any specific policy change,it was important to make lawmakers consider the mental health impact of their policies.

“It gives authenticity to the work of suicide prevention in some spaces where,if you don’t give it that credibility,it drops away,” he said at the time.

Suicide Prevention Australia acting CEO Chris Stone commended NSW for taking a whole-of-government approach.

His organisation has raised grave concerns about the impact of inflation and rising interest rates on community mental health,particularly among middle-aged men,who are disproportionately represented in the state’s suicide data.

In 2023,one in six NSW residents who died by suicide was a man aged 45 to 54.

The consultation will focus on hearing from people with lived experience of suicidal distress,including those who have personally grappled with suicidal distress,those with experience caring for someone going through a suicidal crisis,and people bereaved by suicide.

“The insights of people with lived experience of bereavement and suicidal ideation across NSW are integral because they are informed by real-life trauma,grief,loss and the day-to-day management of stressors like increased cost-of-living,job insecurity and loneliness,” Stone said.

Conversations about the proposed legislation during the consultation period will be led by Suicide Prevention Australia and First Nations Collective Consulting.

“The Closing the Gap target of a significant and sustained reduction in suicide is currently not being met,but this is our chance to make a real difference by listening to and acting on the voices of First National Australians” said First Nations Collective Consulting CEO Marni Tuala.

Jackson said having an Aboriginal-owned and led organisation leading the consultation was crucial to ensure cultural safety.

“I encourage people to engage with this consultation process with openness and honesty. We want our legislation to be more than a piece of paper,” she said.

Members of the public can express interest to take part through these organisations’ websites,or on via a state government web portal.

Consultation will also include a CEO roundtable with representatives from the suicide prevention and social and emotional wellbeing sectors.

The proposed legislation comes as NSW grapples with a mental health system both the sector and the government agrees is in crisis,with long wait times for care and overworked staff leaving some of the state’s most vulnerable slipping through the cracks.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare,49 per cent of people aged 15 to 64 who die by suicide do not have contact with a hospital or mental health service in the previous 12 months.

A priority issues paper on NSW mental health sector’s performance,compiled by the state government and distributed to stakeholders in May,contained modelling whichsuggested at least 58,000 people with severe mental health needs were missing out on care.

In the 12 months to November 2023,the number of people arriving at NSW emergency departments due to a mental health concern increased by 5 per cent to 96,120.

Presentations for self-harm and suicidal thoughts also increased by 5 per cent and comprised more than half of these emergency patients.

A second report,providing more detail on service demand and proposing solutions through staffing,infrastructure and investment,will be completed by the end of the year.

If you or someone you know is in need of support contactLifeline on 13 11 14orBeyond Blue.