Funding for local suicide prevention services
Support for people at risk of suicide received a major boost with new funding of $32.7 million, as part of a $1.9 billion mental health package commitment by the Australian Government.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 2,000 Australians took their own lives in 2004, down from the 1997 peak of 2,720.
Funding of $23.5 million will be for community-based projects to help develop local solutions to local problems, and a further $9.2 million is being committed for four national suicide prevention projects. A total of 46 community projects will be funded over the next three years.
![Dandenong Mayor [left] stands next to aged care resident and aged care staff member](https://agedcareguide-assets.imgix.net/news/articles/wp/belv__2204.jpg?fm=pjpg&w=370)
![Dandenong Mayor [left] stands next to aged care resident and aged care staff member](https://agedcareguide-assets.imgix.net/news/articles/wp/belv__2204.jpg?fm=pjpg&w=520&format=auto&q=65)
