The NSPO provides strategic advice to all parts and levels of government on the actions required to enhance protective factors, address the social determinants of suicide, intervene early in distress, provide coordinated and compassionate care, and improve continuous long-term support.
The Office is dedicated to ensuring work is guided and informed by partnerships with people with lived experience of suicide and draws on the diverse insights and rich combined knowledge and expertise of individuals, communities, service providers, advocates, researchers and government agencies.
Lived Experience Partnership Group
In order to achieve lasting reform, the NSPO is dedicated to ensuring that people with a lived experience of suicide are partners in the work of the organisation. The LEPG provides value to the NSPO through the contribution of diverse views and expertise.
The overall purpose of the Lived Experience Partnership Group is to:
- Ensure lived experience insights and knowledge are incorporated into the operations and work of the National Suicide Prevention Office, including the development of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy and National Suicide Prevention Outcomes Framework
- Provide subject matter expertise to the NSPO on current and emerging issues
- Advise on current and emerging policy based on the expertise of members
- Advise the NSPO on effective and inclusive ways of meaningfully partnering with people with lived experience of suicide in the performance of its duties
- Provide advice on engagement activities, such as targeted advisory groups, to ensure inclusive and equitable opportunities for influence
- Identify any potential barriers to the success of the work of the NSPO and opportunities to address these.
| State | Member |
| NSW | Amy Bertakis |
| NSW | Benjamin Brien |
| QLD | Jordan Frith |
| VIC | Isha Garg |
| NT | Charles Nasir |
| VIC | Imbi Pyman |
| TAS | Chaya Rainbird |
| SA | Refugee member *not named for cultural reasons |
| NSW | Jo Riley |
| QLD | Chris Trupp |
Click here to access a summary of the diversity of lived experience leadership and cultural representation within this group.
| REPRESENTING EXPERTISE | NSPO ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER | ORGANISATION |
|---|---|---|
| NSPOAB Chair | Dr Alan Woodward
| |
| Social Policy | Prof. Steve Allsop | National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University |
| Social Determinants: Veterans | Gwen Cherne | Commissioner, Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner |
| Economics | Prof Henry Cutler | Director, Centre for Health Economy, Macquarie Business School |
| Lived Experience Advisor | Bronwen Edwards | Chief Executive Officer, Roses In The Ocean |
| Social Policy | Prof. Karen Fisher | Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales |
Social determinants: Health equity
| Prof. Sharon Friel
| Director, Menzies centre for Health Governance, Australian National University |
| Lived Experience Advisor | Graeme Holdsworth | Retired Advisor |
Social Determinants: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities | Pino Migliorino | Managing Director & Chairperson, Cultural Perspectives Group |
| Governance | Kym Peake
| Partner, EY Port Jackson |
Governance
| Dr Wendy Southern PSM | Recently retired. Previously held Deputy Secretary positions in Dept of Health, the then Dept of Immigration and Citizenship and as a division head in Prime Minister and Cabinet. |
Social Determinants: LGBTQIA+ | Michael Woodhouse
| Chief Executive Officer, ACON |
| National Mental Health Commission | TBA | CEO, National Mental Health Commission |
Peak Body: Suicide Prevention Australia | Nieves Murray
| Chief Executive Officer, Suicide Prevention Australia |
Peak Body: Gayaa Dhuwi Proud Spirit Australia | Rachel Fishlock
| Chief Executive Officer, Gayaa Dhuwi Proud Spirit Australia |