Each suicide is a tragedy. The grief and loss of a loved one to suicide heavily impacts the lives of many families, friends and communities across NSW. Suicide is a complex problem and we
– as individuals, communities, the private sector and government – need to take focused and coordinated steps to reduce suicide deaths and provide greater support across NSW communities.
Towards Zero Suicides
The NSW Government is investing a total of $143.4 million in Towards Zero Suicides (TZS) over 4 years, to 2025-25. Previously, $87 million was invested during the 2019-2020 to 2021-2022 financial years.
The TZS initiatives address priorities in the
Strategic Framework for Suicide Prevention and aim to:
- provide leading best practice crisis care and support
- build on local community resilience
- improve systems and practices to reduce the suicide rate in NSW.
The initiatives available across NSW are responsive to the needs of each community. Together they provide a holistic approach to suicide prevention. The initiatives include:
National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement
The National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement sets out a framework for the NSW, Commonwealth Government and other Australian state and territory governments to work together so that everyone in Australia has access to the mental health and suicide prevention care they need, when and where they need it.
The NSW and the Commonwealth Governments have made a $383 million combined investment from 2021-22 to 2025-26 in 7 initiatives through a Bilateral Schedule to the National Agreement.
These initiatives aim to address:
- identified gaps in the mental health and suicide prevention system
-
introduce new services
-
enhance and expand access to mental health and suicide prevention supports for priority groups such as children and young people.
The initiatives include:
Suicide prevention legislation
Mental ill-health is not the primary driver of distress leading to suicide. Addressing the social determinants of health that can lead to suicide is crucial in reducing the likelihood of a person reaching suicidal crisis. Preventing lives lost to suicide is not just a health issue but a societal one, requiring our collective attention and action.
To address this, in June 2025 the NSW Government introduced suicide prevention legislation designed to incorporate the experiences of those affected by suicide and promote shared responsibility and accountability across various government portfolios. To read more about this, please see the
Suicide Prevention Legislation page.
Related resources
Get help now
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call Triple Zero
000 or go to your nearest
Emergency Department.
Your can also call Lifeline on
13 11 14, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or visit
Get help now for more crisis services that may be better suited to you.