Place-based suicide intervention

The Suicide Prevention Community Network has commissioned a problem gambling suicide prevention project, which IPC Health is leading. This project aims to increase suicide alertness in five gaming venues across Brimbank.

The Victoria University Suicide Prevention Project is increasing the capacity of staff and students to identify people at risk of suicide. This is a key project for the university and is being embedded in its curriculum.

We’ve worked with the Suicide Prevention Community Network to develop the program, Suicide Prevention Intensive Quality Improvement in General Practice. The six-month program consists of three workshops, each with professional development activities. We’re also working with 10 practices across the region to increase the confidence and knowledge of general practice teams, and to reduce the stigma of talking about suicide.

The South Sudanese Australian Women’s Suicide Prevention Project is a platform for women to share concerns about youth suicide and family stress, explore what support is needed and better understand how to help improve their community’s capacity to prevent suicide. This project is a collaboration between NWMPHN and South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network.

The University of Melbourne has completed their project on improving understanding about the impact of suicide on the Vietnamese community in Melton and Brimbank. The university’s team has developed a strategy for localised and targeted suicide prevention activities, provided culturally relevant ‘gatekeeper’ training to community members and conducted a project evaluation.

More information about the project will be available soon.

More than 1500 people have now been trained in various suicide prevention education programs including safeTALK, ASIST, QPR, Mental Health First Aid, Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality and Borderline Personality Disorder training.

Community participants and frontline workers have reported a significant improvement in their understanding of suicide, and in their ability to identify and mange suicide risk and take preventative steps.

We have also started offering Sport and Life Training (SALT) sessions for sporting clubs, and Black Dog Institute’s Managing for Team Wellbeing training for business leaders.

As part of the Melton/Brimbank Suicide Prevention Trial, we have a range of education and training opportunities available for the community.

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day face-to-face interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognise when someone may be at risk of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.
• Black Dog Institute – Managing for Team Wellbeing: A three-hour online course run by experienced clinical psychologists aimed at managers focusing on their team’s mental health and wellbeing.
• Mental Health First Aid: Training to assist an adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves, using practical, evidence-based action plan.
• SALT deliver 60-minute education sessions focused on mental health and wellbeing to sporting clubs.
• Sporting club guide: What to do if a club member dies by suspected suicide:
  • Download the guide for sporting clubs in and around the Macedon Ranges area (.pdf)
  • Download the guide for sporting clubs in the greater north western Melbourne region (.pdf)
  • For a printed copy, please email suicideprevention@nwmphn.org.au

Local partners and the Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group worked with the Macedon Ranges community, and in particular with those with close experience of mental illness and/or suicidal thoughts, to develop a plan for better community and peer support.

Local partners identified a need to better understand the dominant ideals of masculinity in the Macedon Ranges.

This research will consider the extent to which the attitudes and behaviours of men and boys in the Macedon Ranges conform to traditional definitions of what it means to be a ‘real’ man, and how this can put them at greater risk of inflicting or experiencing harm. This project will also identify potential priority interventions for local partners to adopt to promote healthier masculinity and prevent and reduce harmful behaviours.

A wide range of free suicide prevention education and training opportunities are available to equip Macedon Ranges residents with skills to prevent suicide or to assist someone experiencing mental ill health.

Training includes safeTALK, ASIST, Mental Health First Aid, Management of Suicidality and Borderline Personality Disorder training, Talking about Suicide in General Practice, Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention, and Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicide.