Response to Youth Suicide in Greater Geelong

1. Project Profile

Project Name(s)	Response to Youth Suicide in Greater Geelong
Funded Organisation	Anglicare VIC
Geographical Area	Local
State/Territory	Victoria
Approach(es)	Universal and Selected
Individual/Group	Group
LIFE Action Areas	Improving community strength, resilience and capacity in suicide prevention Taking a coordinated approach to suicide prevention Implementing standards and quality in suicide prevention
Target Groups	People bereaved by suicide Men Rural and remote communities Whole of community Workforce

2. Project Description

The project was developed in response to data showing that during 2009 youth suicide in Geelong was significantly above national averages. The emergence of a ‘suicide culture’ in the region in which groups of young people talk about outdoing each other with their funerals and leave details of their funeral requirements in their final letter was worrying.

The project was developed in order to increase the capacity of professionals working with young people to recognise and respond to people displaying suicidal behaviours.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) courses are delivered to secondary school teachers and other people working with young people, such as welfare officers and chaplains, in the Geelong and Barwon South West regions of Victoria. People at risk of suicide generally provide warning signs of their distress and intent. ASIST is designed to help train participants to recognize these signals and to effectively intervene to help the person stay safe.

The objectives of the project are to:

• Build an effective network of organisations and people, including family members, who are skilled at intervention with at-risk young people
• Bring about real and significant change and positive outcomes for both young people, their families, course participants and the Geelong community generally

3. Activities

The primary service provided by the project is the ASIST two-day workshop facilitated by at least two registered Livingworks Trainers and conducting presentations to Community Groups.

4. Funding

• Round 1
  • NSPP funding
    • 2006/07 - not applicable
    • 2007/08 - not applicable
    • 2008/09 - $28,000
  • % project funding - not applicable
• Round 2
  • NSPP funding
    • 2009/10 - $18,280
    • 2010/11 - $38,280
  • % project funding - 60%
• Round 3
  • NSPP funding
    • 2011/12 - $29,074
    • 2012/13 - $29,597
  • % project funding - 50%

5. Staffing

• Round 1 (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - not applicable
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - not applicable
• Round 2 (2009/10, 2010/11)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 1
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 4
• Round 3 (2011/12, 2012/13)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 1
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 4