The Whitsunday Council of Mayors Suicide Prevention Taskforce Consultation Paper was developed by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) on behalf of the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday Regional Councils, in collaboration with the Whitsunday, Isaac and Mackay Suicide Prevention Community Action Planning Group, and the Mackay Hospital and Health Service.

The paper identifies six areas for improvement to provide a foundation for action that encompasses local, place-based interventions as well as longer term service system change approaches. The paper also highlights the increased complexity of suicide rates in relation to rurality and recommends consideration of geographical location when developing and resourcing interventions.
 
With the provision of preliminary funding confirmed for the Greater Whitsunday Council of Mayors Suicide Prevention Taskforce, the Greater Whitsundays Communities - the regional peak for social development – will progress action-planning activities that leverage the findings of this report and local intel. It is envisaged that as a community collective, the taskforce with initial funding will deliver interventions to reduce and prevent suicide in the greater Whitsunday region. 
 
To read the report, click here.