Panel Conversation: One Year On from the National Suicide Prevention Strategy
- Michael Elwan
- Feb 18
- 2 min read
I will be joining a national panel hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia to mark the first anniversary of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. The conversation offers an opportunity to reflect on what the Strategy has set in motion, what is taking shape in practice, and where our collective attention is still needed.
Event details
Date: Friday, 20 February 2026
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM AEDT
Location: Online
Host: Suicide Prevention Australia
Contact: events@suicidepreventionaust.org | (02) 9262 1130
Speakers and panel
The webinar includes national leadership perspectives followed by a panel discussion on implementation priorities.
Addresses from:
Emma McBride, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Alex Hains, Head of the National Suicide Prevention Office
Panel discussion:
Nieves Murray, CEO, Suicide Prevention Australia
Ben Pook, Advocacy & Government Relations Manager, Yourtown & Kids Helpline
Michael Elwan, Founder of Lived Experience Solutions & Lived Experience Panel Member
Facilitated by Chris Stone, Executive Director, Sector Advocacy, Suicide Prevention Australia
Why this conversation matters
A year after its launch, the Strategy invites reflection beyond policy intent. Implementation lives in relationships, services, communities, and systems working together.
From where I sit, several tensions remain active:
ensuring lived and living experience informs decisions beyond consultation
translating national priorities into locally meaningful responses
strengthening coordination across sectors and levels of government
supporting culturally responsive and community-led approaches
measuring outcomes that reflect safety, dignity, and connection
These tensions are not problems to eliminate; they are realities to work with carefully and collaboratively.
Who this webinar may support
This discussion may be relevant for practitioners, peer and lived experience workers, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders working to strengthen suicide prevention across Australia.
Looking ahead
The first year of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy offers a moment to pause and recalibrate. The work ahead requires sustained collaboration, shared accountability, and an ongoing commitment to approaches that hold people in their full humanity.
I look forward to contributing to this conversation.
Based in Perth, WA, LEXs provides telehealth counselling across Australia for individuals, couples, and NDIS participants. Services extend to Social Work supervision, Peer Work supervision, training, and keynote speaking on men’s mental health, CaLD community wellbeing, and culturally responsive suicide prevention; helping people and organisations make mental-health care more compassionate, inclusive, and effective. LEXs provides services across Australia, supporting clients in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and beyond. To learn more about our work across Australia, visit LEXs' services
