Urgent Call for National Action on Suicide
In Sydney, a public memorial service at ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre on 27th April underscores the urgent need for action on suicide prevention in Australia. Coinciding with ANZAC weekend, the event draws attention to the tragic loss of nine Australians each day to suicide. Latest figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (AIHW) reveal that 3,307 Australians died by suicide in 2024, which is approximately 2.5 times the national road toll.
Running from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, the Wesley LifeForce Suicide Memorial Service aims to bring together sector leaders, individuals with lived experience, and the wider community. Attendees will reflect on the data highlighting that suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australians aged 1524 and 2544. The event also addresses the impact on the defence community, which saw 1,840 serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members die by suicide between 1997 and 2023.
Emphasizing the service as both a moment of remembrance and a call to action, Mr Andy Moore, General Manager of Wesley LifeForce, stated, “We would never accept a road toll this high without urgent national action yet when it comes to suicide, too often we look away.”
Memorial and Reflection
Coinciding with the National Suicide Prevention Conference, the service includes the symbolic placing of sunflowers, representing strength, resilience, and hope, in memory of lost loved ones. The event is free and open to the public, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds and faiths.
Highlighting the significance of ANZAC weekend, Mr Moore stated, “ANZAC weekend is about honouring service and sacrifice. For many families, that sacrifice continues long after service ends.” He pointed out that 73 suicide deaths were recorded among serving and ex-serving ADF members in 2022 alone.
Wesley LifeForce has supported over 140 community-led suicide prevention networks across Australia and trained more than 40,000 people in suicide prevention over the past 15 years. The organisation stresses that connection and early support are vital in addressing this crisis. According to Mr Moore, “You do not need an invitation. If you have lost someone, or you are carrying that grief quietly, this space is for you.”
AIHW’s data underscores the pressing need for comprehensive national strategies to address mental health and suicide prevention. The Wesley LifeForce Suicide Memorial Service will take place on Monday 27th April 2026, at ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre, Meeting Rooms E.31 and E3.2, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at 14 Darling Drive, Sydney NSW 2000.
Last updated: 27 April 2026, 11:19 am
