09 July 2026
EMPHN recently attended the National Suicide Prevention Conference 2026 (NSPC26) in Sydney from 28–30 April, joining more than 1,100 representatives from across Australia to explore the latest developments in suicide prevention policy, research and practice.
Under the theme ‘United Voices, Brighter Futures’, the conference brought together people with lived experience, clinicians, researchers, community organisations and government representatives to share insights and strengthen collaboration across the sector.
EMPHN representatives were pleased to contribute to the conference program through three separate engagements. Included was a panel discussion on a pilot initiative designed to strengthen the role of the primary care sector to support people experiencing complex trauma and suicidal distress in community-based settings, reducing the need for involvement of crisis services.
A separate presentation shared findings from a Delphi research study and supported the soft launch of the new Postvention Protocol Response Groups (PPRG) Implementation Guide, developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne. The presentation highlighted expert guidance and practice-based evidence to support coordinated inter-agency suicide postvention responses and the establishment of PPRGs in areas of need.
The conference program also featured a workshop supporting the soft launch of the new PPRG Implementation Guide. Facilitated in partnership with Monash Health and Jesuit Social Services, the workshop brought together participants to discuss postvention response groups and their role in supporting coordinated, service system-led responses following a suicide. Through guidance from the PPRG implementation guide, shared experiences and robust discussion, participants explored how coordinated, targeted and compassionate postvention responses can be facilitated in real-world settings. We were encouraged by the level of engagement and the willingness of attendees to share their insights and lessons learned from their own work.
The PPRG Implementation Guide will be published shortly. To receive updates and be notified when the guide is available, join our PPRG mailing list here.
