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National Suicide Prevention Trial: Whyalla Community Consultation Report
Background While suicide is an infrequent occurrence in Australia, the effects and aftermath can be both traumatic and longlasting for families and communities alike. Across Australia, people residing in rural and remote communities have a higher risk of suicide than those living in metropolitan cities. Particular rural communities across the state experience significantly higher rates of attempts and deaths. Compared to the national average, South Australia’s suicide rate is slightly higher at 13.4 deaths per 100,000 compared to 12.61. Suicide can affect any person at any time, however there are sub groups of individuals that remain at higher risk than others. The reasons for suicide are complex and multifaceted, influenced by the vulnerabilities, risk factors and events in a person’s life and their interactions with other social, cultural, economic and environmental factors2. For people aged 15-44 years, suicide remains a major cause of death. Furthermore, across all age groups Aboriginal people are more than twice as likely to die by suicide compared to their non-Aboriginal counterparts1. In terms of gender, males account for the majority of deaths by suicide, while females often attempt at a higher rate. Males aged 25-44 years are dying at a higher rate than all other age groups in regional SA 1. The key aims of the trial are to respond to local needs and identify new learnings in relation to suicide prevention strategies. To achieve this aim, an established evidencebased suicide prevention model was selected, the LifeSpan model. LifeSpan is an innovative, evidence-based, world-class approach to suicide prevention developed by the Black Dog Institute. Based on scientific modelling, LifeSpan is predicted to prevent 20% of suicide deaths and 30% of suicide attempts. The model involves the implementation of nine strategies simultaneously within a localised area. Active strategies that form part of the trial will include: •T raining for frontline workers, community members, young people and leaders; •C oordination of referral networks and multidisciplinary teams; and •T he development of systems that can reduce suicide attempts and deaths in communities. 1 Government of South Australia (2018) South Australian Suicide Prevention Plan 2017-2021, SA Health. 2 World Health Organisation. (2014) Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative. Geneva. WHO
About the National Suicide Prevention Trial Country SA PHN is one of twelve sites nationally taking part in the trial which aims to reduce suicide at a local level. The Federal Government is providing $4 million which will enable Country SA PHN to implement evidence-based integrated approaches to suicide prevention. The three-year trial will adopt a systems-based approach to the delivery of suicide prevention services, targeting populations identified as ‘at-risk’. The trial brings significant resources, activity and funding to areas of established need across the country. The selected area in South Australia is the Country North region, including Port Augusta, Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie and the Yorke Peninsula. The population targets within these regions were selected based on the Country SA PHN Needs Assessment in addition to state and national data sets in relation to death and/or suicide attempts due to intentional self-harm. The three populations are: • Youth (15-24 years) • Adult Males (25-54 years) • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
The trial will work closely with local suicide prevention networks, state government and the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist to implement effective strategies and programs across the region. The consultation that forms the basis of this report will support the design of localised action plans that will continue after the trial end date in June 2020. All research, programs and strategies used within the trial will be evaluated upon completion to help inform policy and programs nationally.
