Suicide Prevention Australia is the national peak body for the suicide prevention sector. We count among our members the largest and many of the smallest suicide prevention and mental health not-for-profits, practitioners, researchers and leaders. Together, we have developed a suicide prevention competency framework for universities. We are proud to publish this report in partnership with Universities Australia, who represent 39 member universities that educate 1.5 million students every year and employ over 100,000 staff.

This important partnership provides a structure that enables early intervention for staff experiencing suicidal behaviour, staff or students with a lived experience of suicidal behaviour, and people studying who may experience struggles or factors that cause significant distress.

The suicide prevention competency framework will be evidence-informed, culturally accessible and hands-on in its support for universities to build on protective factors, while reducing risk within their communities.