Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Service

1. Project Profile

Project Name(s)	Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Service
Funded Organisation	Uniting Church Australia – Lifeline Newcastle and Hunter
Geographical Area	Local
State/Territory	New South Wales
Approach(es)	Selected and Indicated
Individual/Group	Individual and Group
LIFE Action Areas	Improving the evidence base and understanding of suicide prevention Building individual resilience and the capacity for self-help Improving community strength, resilience and capacity in suicide prevention Taking a coordinated approach to suicide prevention Providing targeted suicide prevention activities Implementing standards and quality in suicide prevention
Target Groups	People bereaved by suicide Men People who have previously attempted suicide People who have self harmed Rural and remote communities Older people Whole of community Workforce

2. Project Description

The project offers a holistic suicide prevention service covering Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter and targets adults, high-risk groups, identified persons at risk of suicide, community organisations, and mental health professionals. The project comprises three streams: Prevention, Intervention and Postvention.

3. Activities

The activities undertaken across the three streams are as follows:

Prevention: Includes life promotion activities that build resilience and overcome social isolation. The prevention arm of the project has two focus areas – the first is to empower individuals across a wide range of issues through educational programs. These programs include: interpersonal communication skills; building personal resilience; enhancing public awareness of suicide through suicide awareness presentations called LivingWorks ASIST and safeTALK.

Intervention: Offers life protection for those who have suicidal ideation, self-harm or have attempted suicide. The services include:

• A 24 hour telephone counselling service
• LivingWorks ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) two day workshops
• Life Matters Intervention program including: intensive support for people at risk of suicide for up to three months with minimal waiting time; and confidential weekly face to face counselling and the offer of a telephone “buddy” who is available to call clients up to three times a week
• Working collaboratively with other agencies to raise community awareness and action re suicide intervention.

Postvention: Offers support to those people who have been bereaved by suicide. It provides a safe and understanding space to assist clients with the grief and healing process. The education course and support groups provide a sense of connectedness to others sharing a similar loss. The services include:

• Support after suicide education course
• Grief support group
• Face to face counselling
• Care calls to family and friends of those bereaved by suicide
• Annual observance service Top of page

4. Funding

• Round 1
  • NSPP funding
    • 2006/07 - $238,008
    • 2007/08 - $233,280
    • 2008/09 - $239,171
  • % project funding - 100%
• Round 2
  • NSPP funding
    • 2009/10 - $259,704
    • 2010/11 - $270,296
  • % project funding - 100%
• Round 3
  • NSPP funding
    • 2011/12 - $275,000
    • 2012/13 - $280,000
  • % project funding - 100%

5. Staffing

• Round 1 (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 1.5
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 1.5
• Round 2 (2009/10, 2010/11)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 3.4
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 3.4
• Round 3 (2011/12, 2012/13)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 3
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 2.2
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