The Way Back Support Service is available to people in western Victoria seeking practical, non-clinical support following a suicide attempt.
The service can link individuals and their families with appropriate support services to help manage life situations and challenges. This includes providing education and counselling to help increase resilience and the ability to cope.
How The Way Back Support Service works
People who have been admitted to hospital following a suicide attempt can access The Way Back Support Service as part of their ongoing mental health care support.
Research has identified people who have attempted suicide are at significant risk, particularly in the subsequent three months. Therefore, it is critical to ensure they remain safe and have opportunity to work through hardships affecting their lives.
Once a person is discharged from hospital, a program support coordinator will contact that person within one business day of receiving a referral from the hospital. Over the following three months, the support coordinator will regularly contact the person face-to-face, or via phone or email. The level of support is tailored to meet an individual’s needs.
The type of support provide includes:
- Offering encouragement
- Helping a person follow their hospital discharge and safety plan
- Facilitating ongoing connection with other support networks
- Supporting links with GPs and other services to help the journey to recovery.
Beyond Blue created The Way Back support model as a way of providing personal connection and integration with community services.
Accessing the support services
There are three The Way Back Support Services in western Victoria. Western Victoria PHN (WVPHN) has commissioned the Great South Coast service with Federal Government funding. The other two services are funded by the Victorian Government.
Warrnambool and Great South Coast
People admitted to Warrnambool Base Hospital, Hamilton Base Hospital, Portland Hospital or Camperdown Hospital can access referrals from emergency department mental health support or through South West Healthcare or Western District Health Services.
- For more details, please refer to Wellways or email thewaybackgsc@wellways.org
Ballarat and Horsham
People admitted to Ballarat Base Hospital, Wimmera Base Hospital or East Grampians Health Service can access referrals.
- For more details, please refer to Wellways or email thewaybackgrampians@wellways.org
Geelong
People admitted to Barwon Health’s University Hospital can access referrals.
- For more details, please refer to Barwon Child, Youth and Family
Accessing immediate help
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000, visit your nearest hospital emergency department of use any of the following helplines:
- Lifeline – phone 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue – phone 1300 224636
- Suicide Call Back Service – phone 1300 659467
- Kids Helpline – phone 1800 551800
- MensLine Australia – phone 1300 789978
More information
Contact the WVPHN Mental Health team:
- Email – mentalhealth@westvicphn.com.au