Melton and Brimbank Place-Based Suicide Prevention Trials
1 July 2017 – 30 June 2021
$1,873,115
Melton
Brimbank
Overview
Starting in 2016, the Victorian Government partnered with all 6 Victorian primary health networks to work with local communities to develop and implement coordinated place-based approaches to suicide prevention.
The place-based model was designed to work with local skills, expertise, and resources to deliver a range of evidence-based suicide prevention activities specifically suited to local community needs.
This trial focused on 2 local government areas, Melton and Brimbank. Both communities feature large numbers of residents born in predominantly on-English-speaking countries, significant rates of unemployment and high proportions of people living with profound or severe disability.
The Melton and Brimbank trial was supported by a governance group comprising community members, including some with lived experience of suicidality, joined by representatives from local health organisations, local government, and state-wide partners.
It used the LifeSpan model, developed by Sydney’s Black Dog Institute, to build on local knowledge and expertise and develop a tailored suicide prevention response. This included activities to build workforce capability, reduce stigma and increase access to services.
Activities undertaken as part of the trial include:
- Victoria University suicide prevention project
- Suicide Prevention Training – safeTALK and ASIST
- Suicide prevention in general practice intensive quality improvement project
- Suicide prevention in the Vietnamese community
- Suicide prevention project – Pasifika community
- South Sudanese Australian women suicide prevention initiative
- Strengthening the safety net for problem gamblers at risk of suicide in gaming venues
- Connected Mobs
- Art Bombing for Better Mental Health
- What to do if a club member dies by suspected suicide: A guide for Sporting Clubs
- Chronic Suicidality and Self-Harm in Borderline Personality Disorder: Managing the Risk
- System mapping of suicide prevention and intervention services in Melton and Brimbank
- Aboriginal mental health first aid
- Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality model (CAMS-care)
- Managing team wellbeing
- Festival for Healthy Living – Dream Big
Outcomes
The trial:
- expanded the evidence base in relation to the risk and protective factors related to suicide
- raised community awareness and understanding of suicide
- improved knowledge of how to work together at a local level to design and develop coordinated responses.
Visit the Victorian Government website for more information on lessons and achievements from Victoria’s place-based suicide prevention trials.