Suicide Prevention Australia is the national peak body for the suicide prevention sector. With over 400 members representing more than 140,000 workers, staff and volunteers across Australia, we provide a collective voice for service providers, practitioners, researchers, local collaboratives and people with lived experience.

In collaboration with the health sector, Suicide Prevention Australia has developed this competency framework for the health sector to enhance the capacity and capability of the clinical workforce in responding to people experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

The framework offers a starting point for employers and staff to evaluate their knowledge and skills, enabling them to effectively promote wellbeing, intervene in distressing situations, and reduce suicidal behaviour within their workplaces. This document explores the necessity of a competency framework, the evidence base, and policies that have informed its development, as well as strategies for adapting, customising and implementing the framework in various working environments and roles.