No waiting, medically approved, suicide prevention at no cost to anyone
The Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation’s (ASPF) new tool, the App “Prevent A Suicide: what to say” has won the Suicide Prevention Australia’s 2024 Victorian Innovative Practice and Research Award.
The Life Award was presented on 19 March, recognising this valuable new approach to community-based suicide prevention from the ASPF.
The App, “Prevent A Suicide: What To Say” empowers and guides the general public to intervene effectively and without delay as soon as suicide is mentioned.
The App enables friends and family members to immediately and repeatedly send messages based on the phrases used by mental health professionals and selected from the hundreds of medically approved messages provided within the App.
The messages download at a single click and can be sent immediately or personalised.
Clinical Associate Professor David Horgan, the founder of the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation, said “Many published studies have shown that close personal connections deter action in those with thoughts of suicide. With difficulties accessing professionals, particularly after hours, the “Prevent A Suicide: what to say” App can help concerned family and friends to support a loved one when they need it most”.
The “Prevent A Suicide: what to say” App provides immediate and ongoing 24/7 person-to-person suicide prevention. The most important people in the life of a suicidal person can prevent a suicide attempt just by using our messages".
There is no training required, no cost, no sign-ins and the App supplements all current approaches to suicide prevention
Clinical Associate Professor - David Horgan
The App has been widely acclaimed by professionals, voluntary organisations, users, and lay people keen to help raise awareness and prevent attempted suicide in Australia.
The number of Australians who attempt suicide every day is equivalent to a full passenger jet – mainly healthy young women aged 15 to 29 (ABS)
“38% of the Australian population know someone who has attempted suicide, and no one told them how to help".
Dr Horgan said "our research shows that 2 out of 3 people do not know how to respond when suicide is mentioned, and many fear that anything they say may make the situation worse. We are helping to resolve this problem.”
“The hundreds of messages available on the “Prevent A Suicide: what to say” App were developed by mental health professionals and people with lived experience.
They can be accessed at any time of the day or night and help the community to support one another.”
The “Prevent A Suicide: what to say” App can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store, Google Play and https://intoughtimestext.org/app/
Clinical Associate Professor David Horgan, MB, BCH, BAO, DPM, MRCPSYCH, MPHIL, FRANZCP, FRCPEDIN, MD Founder, Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation, is available for interview.
Media Enquiries:
Contact Ron Smith OAM, Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation
Mobile: 0417 329 201 to arrange an interview with Clinical Associate Professor David Horgan, the founder of the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation
Suicide Statistics In Australia
“Suicide and attempted suicide are the commonest causes of death and injury between the ages of 15 and 49, male or female, in Australia." (ABS)
"Over 3 million Australians have had serious thoughts of suicide and over one million have attempted suicide in their lifetime." (ABS)
"Most people are afraid of saying the wrong thing or don’t know what to say to a person mentioning suicide." (Resolve Strategic 2022)
www.InToughTimesText.org.au ( Link to Download )
Acknowledgement to Country
ASPF acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation | Suite 609, 89 High Street, Kew, VICTORIA 3101 Australia |
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