New Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data on the number of lives lost to suicide in 2023 shows that Western Australia’s suicide rate remains higher than the national average.
According to Lifeline WA, Western Australia’s suicide rate of 14.3% compared to the Australian suicide rate of 11.8% now sees the State ranking third in the country.
The leading suicide prevention agency said the sobering figure of 417 deaths by suicide in Western Australia in 2023, an 8.3% increase on the previous year, reinforces the gravity of the mental health challenges facing our State.
In response to recent alarming statistics, the Western Australian government is stepping up its effort to prevent suicide with two major investments aimed at saving lives and supporting mental health.
The State Government has announced more than $1 million in grants for community organisations across WA, along with $3.3 million rollout of suicide prevention training for frontline workers.
The $1 million in community grants was announced at the 2025 National Suicide Prevention Conference in Perth.
The funding will help local groups run programs that build connection, improve resilience, and reduce the stigma around mental health.
Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the impact of suicide is felt across families, workplaces and communities, and everyone has a role to play in prevention.
“We can’t do it alone,” she said.
“Through funding grassroot organisations, we are helping those who understand best what their community needs.”
In a related development, the State will also invest $3.3 million to bring SafeSide suicide prevention training to WA.
The training will equip workers in mental health, drug and alcohol, and youth service with the skills to respond during a suicidal crisis.
It will also help shape the new 2025-2030 suicide prevention strategy.
As part of the program, SafeSide will establish a Restore Network in WA to support organisational leaders with tools to embed suicide prevention practices in their services.
“This investment will provide our mental health workforce with enhanced skills and training for the challenging job they face when confronted with a suicidal crisis in our community,” Minister Hammat said.
