| The Ballarat Suicide Prevention Place Based Trial is one of two such initiatives in our region to proactively develop coordinated and collaborative strategies for reducing the rate of death by suicide.
Western Victoria PHN (WVPHN) is coordinating the trial in partnership with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. It also involves many individuals and organisations from the Ballarat community. |
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Background
The Victorian Suicide Prevention Framework 2016-25 provides a coordinated approach to reducing the suicide toll. Victoria’s Primary Health Networks are leading the response to this framework through 12 place-based strategies to suicide prevention. The Ballarat trial is one of these 12 collaborative responses, acknowledging that the places where people live and spend time affects their health and wellbeing.
Each place-based trial aims to:
- Reduce the rates of suicide
- Reduce suicide attempts
- Improve individual resilience and wellbeing
- Improve systems to prevent suicide in an ongoing way
The Ballarat trial focuses on a collaborative approach bringing together a variety of relevant individuals and community organisations. The trial began in 2016 with the following steps:
- an analysis of local data, existing evidence and current support services in the Ballarat area and identifying gaps
- community and stakeholder consultation including with service providers and people with a lived experience of suicide, suicidality, and bereavement from suicide.
With the establishment of a leadership group, a set of recommended priority areas were identified and used as the basis for developing the activities listed below
Activities
As part of the trial, a series of complementary activities were identified and where appropriate were delivered and evaluated and monitored against a shared outcomes framework.
Connect Back resources package
The Connect Back project involved producing a community resource of key local networks and groups that provide formal and informal community-based support for people at risk of suicide and was distributed to various community organisations and providers.
Lived Experience publication
In partnership with headspace, a lived experience publication was collated to share stories of those with a lived experience of Mental ill health, individuals’ challenges, and perceptions of difficult periods where suicidal ideation was evident in their life – with a focus on hope. The publication aimed to guide others in their journey.
Men’s health and wellbeing
Mental health and suicide prevention community awareness and wellbeing support programs were delivered to several community groups and/or organisations in Ballarat. Future mental health and suicide prevention planning for the region will be informed by data gathered to support male vulnerability and resilience to suicide. Outside the Locker Room coordinated the project.
Young women’s health and wellbeing
headspace delivered targeted programs for young women to improve their sense of connectedness, self-confidence, and self-regulation and to encourage them to seek help to reduce the incidence of repeated acts of self-harm. These sessions were specifically developed to support two age groups: one for 15-17 year-olds and the other for 18-25-year-olds.
Women’s health and wellbeing
Ballarat Community Health facilitated a seven-week program for women aged 26 and over, assisted by counsellors and supported by peer navigators. The program covered psychoeducation and self-esteem building alongside activities promoting general health and wellbeing.
Education and training
Uniting Ballarat aimed to increase community awareness and confidence in identifying and responding to people at risk of distress or suicide ideation through building the capacity of trainers and increasing access to education and training for the wider community. This was achieved as a result of offering various training content specific programs.
Community Welcome Program
A Community Welcome Program helped Ballarat’s community organisations and businesses recognise their role in identifying at risk people and helped guide those people to the appropriate support services. It was part of the trial’s peer support and navigation response.
Improving general practice capacity
Ballarat general practices were invited to participate in a review of their understanding of and capacity and capabilities for working with people at risk of suicide. It included an analysis of GP professional development needs; barriers, gaps and opportunities; and how to incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness.
Trial partners and supporters
The Ballarat Place Based Suicide Prevention Trial is overseen by a community-led Leadership Group with representatives from:
- Ambulance Victoria
- Ballarat Community Health
- Ballarat City Council
- Ballarat Health Services
- Central Highlands Primary Care Partnerships
- Child and Family Services Ballarat
- Community members with lived experience
- Federation University
- headspace
- Lifeline
- St John of God
- Uniting Ballarat
- Victoria Police
- Wellways
In addition, input and support has been provided by:
- Ballarat and District Aboriginal Corporation
- Ballarat Suicide Prevention Network
- Child and Family Services Ballarat
- Compassionate Ballarat
- Federation University
- headspace
- Lifeline
- State Emergency Service
- Uniting Ballarat
- WDEA Work
Seeking urgent help
If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000, visit your nearest hospital emergency or use any of the crisis helplines:
- Ballarat Mental Health Services – 03 5320 4100 or after hours on 1300 247 647
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au
- Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 | www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
- Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 | www.kidshelpline.com.au
- MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978 |www.mensline.org.au