Suicide in Australia

This session is designed to challenge that invisibility and equip nurses with the awareness and confidence to act early. We’ll examine suicide through a clinical lens—drawing on current Australian data, risk factors, and priority populations—while also addressing the cultural and structural silences that allow it to go unspoken and unaddressed.
CPD HOURS: 1
 Registration Year 2025/2026

Course Content

Suicide is the third largest cause of disease burden in Australia—yet it often remains invisible in day-to-day clinical practice. Unlike other major health concerns, it rarely comes with a clear diagnosis, obvious symptoms, or a neat referral pathway. It’s often masked by silence, stigma, or a person’s ability to present as “fine” right up until they’re not.

This session is designed to challenge that invisibility and equip nurses with the awareness and confidence to act early. We’ll examine suicide through a clinical lens—drawing on current Australian data, risk factors, and priority populations—while also addressing the cultural and structural silences that allow it to go unspoken and unaddressed.

We’ll explore:
  • What the latest national data tells us about patterns, risk groups, and where we could be doing better
  • The missed opportunities in general care settings to pick up on suicide risk
  • How to recognise subtle cues and how to start the conversation—clearly, respectfully, and with confidence
  • Evidence-informed approaches to immediate response and referral, including what not to say
  • Whether you’re in acute care, general practice, aged care, or outreach roles—this session offers skills you can use immediately, and a renewed confidence in your ability to respond when it matters most.

Why this Session may be Relevant to your Work

To be able to recognise the signs that someone might be contemplating suicide allows me to start a conversation with my patient that could lead to them getting the professional help and intervention they need to prevent acting on their thoughts of suicide.

Learning Outcomes

In this session, you will:
  • Describe the current epidemiology of suicide in Australia, including key at-risk populations and contributing social and health factors.
  • Recognise the less obvious signs of suicide risk that may present during routine nursing interactions across a range of clinical settings.
  • Apply practical communication strategies to initiate safe, respectful, and scope-appropriate conversations with individuals who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.
  • Identify appropriate response pathways, including escalation procedures, referral options, and documentation requirements within the nurse’s scope of practice.

WANT TO SEE SUE LIVE?

Explore Sue's upcoming CPD seminars and conferences.

SUES'S ONLINE COURSES

These courses are more in-depth and skill-based focused.

Sue Walker

RN, BN, BN (ADMIN), MPHC, MACN

Sue is the director and co-founder of the Nurses for Nurses Network. Sue is a key contributor to the online education platform Nursing CPD – a Continuing Professional Development platform to assist Nurses in meeting their annual CPD requirements.

As a Registered Nurse, Sue holds Degrees in both Nursing and Health Administration, a Master’s Degree in Public Health, and more...