System mapping of suicide prevention and intervention services in Melton and Brimbank

As a part of the Melton and Brimbank Place-Based Suicide Prevention Trials, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) commissioned consultant – Jane Canaway to undertake system mapping of suicide prevention and intervention services available in Brimbank and Melton. This was done to better understand the lived experience journey navigating the service system and to identify opportunities for integration.  

The objectives were to:   

1. process map pathways to care available in Melton and Brimbank;    
2. identify opportunities to improve the current mechanisms within the local system; and    
3. Identify opportunities to better support people in accessing appropriate services and improving their overall service experience.   

The project sought to identify existing pathways, review the experiences of people with lived experience and provide recommendations for improvement. 

• The key findings led to these actions: Development of a working group or community of practice to share information to streamline the care of clients engaged in multiple services. 
• A need to improve the capacity of GPs and other primary health services to identify those at risk of suicide and work collaboratively to ensure they get timely support.  
• A review of the current crisis response to develop models more appropriate for those suffering a suicidal crisis, particularly for at-risk groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.   
• Recognition of the value of those with lived experience navigating services working in suicide prevention and the need to increase opportunities for a peer workforce.    
• Acknowledgement that families and support networks of those at risk of suicide are often excluded from their care. New approaches are needed to involve families and support networks in safety planning and care decisions where appropriate.   
• A major focus on improving care pathways to ease access for those at risk of suicide as they move across community, primary care, and acute services.   
• Improved understanding of the people and communities most at risk of suicidality allowing for better targeting of services.