Gold Coast strengthens community suicide prevention

The Gold Coast is showing what’s possible when a community comes together to prevent suicide. Social connection is a strong protective factor against suicide, and the region is widening its focus beyond clinical care to create opportunities for people to connect.

From crisis to connection

Across Australia, suicide prevention strategies are shifting towards wellness, lived experience leadership and whole-of-community collaboration. The new National Suicide Prevention Strategy calls for action across housing, employment, education and social inclusion, recognising that mental health is shaped by life circumstances as well as healthcare.

Gold Coast Primary Health Network is putting this broader vision into action through strong partnerships, including the Joint Regional Plan for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and Alcohol and Other Drug Services 2025-2028 and the Gold Coast Suicide Prevention Collaborative (the Collaborative). Together, these efforts back community-led solutions, strengthen cultural safety and connect people to joined-up supports.

Gold Coast Wellbeing Week: Connection starts here

One of the most powerful examples of this approach is Gold Coast Wellbeing Week. Held in September 2024 and 2025, the initiative delivers seven days of events designed to meet people where they are, from seniors’ morning teas and cultural yarning circles to youth events and the Out of the Shadows Walk on World Suicide Prevention Day.

More than 1,500 people attended events across the week in 2025, with a 37 per cent increase in local partners supporting the initiative. Many participants shared how meaningful the experience was.

“I was in a bit of pain today and wasn’t going to come. When I arrived, I was feeling low, but I left feeling much happier. Next year, I’ll bring a friend.”

Insights from the Gold Coast Mental Health Symposium

The Gold Coast Mental Health Symposium 2025 reinforced the importance of connection and collaboration. Experts, community leaders and people with lived experience explored how services and the community can better meet people where they are.

Highlights included a keynote from Dr Louise La Sala on youth suicide prevention and social media, panel discussions on youth homelessness, domestic and family violence, perinatal mental health and men’s wellbeing, and sessions focused on culturally responsive care and disability inclusion. First Nations speakers also shared perspectives on social and emotional wellbeing.

What’s next?

In 2026, the Gold Coast Suicide Prevention Collaborative, together with Joint Regional Plan partnership groups, will continue building momentum with a focus on expanding Gold Coast Wellbeing Week 7-13 September 2026, strengthening postvention supports and embedding suicide prevention training across sectors.

Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. By prioritising connection and collaborative action, the Gold Coast is showing what a community can achieve together.