Healthcare providers have been asked to improve suicide prevention services, after a report discovered an alarming scarcity of follow-up treatment for people who had attempted to take their own life.

Mental health workers say people who take their own lives have all-too-often tried before hence it is indispensible for them to receive ongoing treatment after their first suicide attempt.

The survey initiated by the mental health group involved 285 people diagnosed with mental illness who had attempted suicide or self-harm.

"Thirty per cent of respondents, and these are people with a mental illness who have attempted suicide or self-harm, were not referred for ongoing mental health treatment after a suicide attempt," SANE executive director Barbara Hocking reveals.

However, 60% were not delivered psychological therapy after the attempt and 80 per cent failed to receive any sort of suicidal crisis plan.

Doctors pose jittery over the statistics. Emergency rooms have procedures they are supposed to follow when dealing with suicidal patients and each one has acute mental health care.

Dr. Hambleton cites the need for more support for groups who assist people suffering a high risk of self-harm, rendering its valuable role in helping people to keep their appointments and follow up with the services that can fetch help.