Evaluation of suicide prevention activities

Peer Support Australia

Page last updated: January 2014

1. Project Profile

Project Name(s)Peer Support Australia
Funded OrganisationPeer Support Foundation Ltd
Geographical AreaNational
State/TerritoryNational
Approach(es)Selected
Individual/GroupGroup
LIFE Action Areas
    • Building individual resilience and the capacity for self-help
    • Improving community strength, resilience and capacity in suicide prevention
Target Groups
    • Children
    • Youth

2. Project Description

Peer Support Australia provides peer led programs which are integrated into curricula and implemented in primary and secondary schools. The Peer Support Program assists young people in the development of the protective skills required to counter negative influences on their lives. The program supports positive cultural change within schools by incorporating a range of strategies developed through collaboration with members of the whole school community for the specific needs of the school. The project is to manage an appropriate and continued co-ordinated roll out of the Peer Support Program into four areas, namely TAS, QLD, WA and NT. In the current funding period (2011-13) discussions with VIC organisations will consider the feasibility of expansion into that state.

3. Activities

Peer Support Australia provides:
  • Training and professional development for teachers and parents. Training for teachers includes:
    • implementation workshop for establishing and maintaining the Peer Support Program
    • anti-bullying training
    • SRC Leadership training
    • in school training
  • Student leadership training and resources
  • Peer led, skills based, experiential learning modules focusing on orientation, relationships, optimism, resilience, anti-bullying and values
  • Free consultancy to assist schools in raising awareness of the program and planning for implementation Top of page

4. Funding

  • Round 1
    • NSPP funding
      • 2006/07 - $192,538
      • 2007/08 - $181,440
      • 2008/09 - $186,022
    • % project funding - 92%
  • Round 2
    • NSPP funding
      • 2009/10 - $402,143
      • 2010/11 - $275,432
    • % project funding - 96%
  • Round 3
    • NSPP funding
      • 2011/12 - $229,149
      • 2012/13 - $229,149
    • % project funding - data not provided

5. Staffing

  • Round 1 (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09)
    • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 2
    • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 2
  • Round 2 (2009/10, 2010/11)
    • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 2
    • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 2
  • Round 3 (2011/12, 2012/13)
    • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 2
    • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 2