Home / Commissioned Activities

National LGBTIQ+ Suicide Prevention Trial

Completed
Duration:

1 July 2016 - 30 June 2021

Funding Amount:

$5,000,000

Locations

all

Melbourne Macedon Ranges Yarra Moonee Valley Darebin Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Wyndham Brimbank Moorabool Melton Hume Merri-bek

Overview

The National Suicide Prevention Trial (NSPT) was an initiative funded by the Commonwealth Government in 12 different sites across Australia over a 5 year timeframe. 

Each of the trials was led by a local primary health network and aimed to improve the evidence base around effective suicide prevention strategies for priority population groups and the broader population.  

The North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) region is diverse in its geography and people. It includes a large Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+) community. Although many LGBTIQ+ Australians live healthy and happy lives, a disproportionate number of them experience poorer mental health outcomes and have higher risk of suicidal behaviours than their peers – and were therefore chosen as the priority population.  

A taskforce consisting of representatives from LGBTIQ+ organisations and advocacy bodies, the broader LGBTIQ+ community, and those with a voice of lived experience led a co-design approach to the trial.

The taskforce drove the development of a systems-based framework, using the Black Dog Lifespan model, for trial activities that focused on the overlap across society, the LGBTIQ+ community, service systems, and the individual. Themes targeted included the complexity of intersectionality, support and community networks and advocacy and peer support. 

Activities undertaken as part of the trial include:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nISg5_he5N4

Outcomes

Questions and answers comprising the evaluation process can be summarised thus:  

Design – To what extent was the trial designed effectively? 

The trial was found to have been designed effectively by accurately reflecting the needs of LGBTIQ+ communities and the state of the mental health and suicide prevention service system in the North 

West of Melbourne. This was driven by the co-design, systematic and evidence-informed approach adopted to design the trial. 

Implementation – To what extent was the trial implemented effectively? 

The trial was found to have been delivered effectively using a Collective Impact model.  

The evaluation findings around the implementation of the trial according to the 5 elements of Collective Impact are: 

  • common agenda 
  • continuous communications 
  • mutually reinforcing activities 
  • backbone infrastructure 
  • shared measurements. 

This enabled more effective assessment of the funded activities and capturing of the outcomes achieved. 

Outcomes – To what extent were the intended outcomes of the trial achieved? 

The trial effectively met the needs of the LGBTIQ+ communities and suicide prevention service system in the North Western Melbourne region. 

Read the LGBTIQ+ Suicide Prevention Trial Evaluation Report below and learn more about how the trial was evaluated.

NWMPHN LGBTIQ+ Suicide Prevention Trial Evaluation Report

Services involved

We would also like to acknowledge the many individuals with lived experience and their insight and expertise which has provided an invaluable contribution to the Taskforce.