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National Suicide Prevention Trial: Whyalla Community Consultation Report
Community forum findings In the second stage of the methodology, six community forums were conducted across major regional centres. An estimated total of 500 people engaged in the forums and provided their feedback on the current state of suicide prevention in their region, key needs and gaps as well as future plans to reduce suicidality. In addition to community and service providers, local mayors were also engaged to form partnerships and strengthen the community focus. Local Mayor Lyn Breuer had the following to say on suicide in their region:
“Suicide in a smaller community affects everyone. The community mourns with the family, and everyone asks why, and how could we have helped. As a community leader, through council and through our networks, it is important to ensure we have in place the preventative measures and support necessary for our community and our people.” WHYALLA MAYOR LYN BREUER
Each forum highlighted ideas and issues unique to their specific region and key themes were deliberated. For Whyalla, the key themes from the community forum were: • Workforce development and upskilling • Youth education and resilience building • Referral pathways and early intervention • Follow-up care and dischaning following a suicide attempt.
Workforce development and upskilling Workforce development and upskilling was identified as a priority for both the community and service providers in the region. Emphasis was placed on training for frontline workers and first responders, as well as general practitioners (GPs) in assessment skills and appropriate referral pathways. There was participant acknowledgement surrounding the high demand for GP services in regional
areas and the need to explore e-mental health options to accompany locally available services and facilitate training.
Youth education and resilience building Youth mental health was also a priority area raised for the Whyalla region, particularly regarding education and resilience training. The incorporation of suicide prevention and mental health education into school curricula was suggested to reduce stigma and build resilience and was strongly supported within the community forums. Upskilling for school counsellors and teachers alike to recognise the signs of suicide and to respond accordingly was thought to also complement this process.
Referral pathways and early intervention The community perceived a need for better collaboration between services to streamline referrals, reduce waiting times and create a ‘no wrong door’ approach. The creation of an online portal to direct individuals to available services in their region was discussed to meet this requirement in accompaniment to information packs being available 24/7 at emergency departments. Furthermore, the implementation of a stepped care model with a person-centred approach, aiming to increase early intervention and prevention of mental health issues, was suggested to improve the current referral issues.
Follow-up care and discharge planning following a suicide attempt Information and support following a suicide attempt was raised repeatedly throughout the forum, specifically the need for the development of appropriate discharge planning in the region. The current system was seen to not support the families of an individual in crisis or provide support post the attempt and/or suicide. Creating a local multidisciplinary network with adequate information sharing to provide such follow up was therefore strongly supported in Whyalla. These formalised networks could ensure information is safely and confidentially shared in order to provide the most effective aftercare services for individuals and their families.
