MURRUMBIDGEE SUICIDE
POSTVENTION
COMMUNICATIONS AND RESPONSE PROTOCOL
DECEMBER 2025
SUPPORTING MURRUMBIDGEE COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY SUICIDE
Introduction
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY
We acknowledge and pay respects to the traditional owners of the lands on which MPHN operates; the Wiradjuri, Nari Nari, Wemba Wemba, Perepa Perepa, Yorta Yorta, Ngunnawal, Ngarigo, Bangerang and Yitha Yitha Nations. We recognise our communities are made up of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples descended from additional mobs and clans who also call the Murrumbidgee region home. We recognise the significant and unique impact suicide has for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LIVED AND
LIVING EXPERIENCE
We acknowledge people with lived and living experience of suicide and recognise the importance of the voice of lived and living experience in shaping the work we do in suicide prevention, aftercare and postvention. This includes people who have considered ending their life, who have experienced a suicidal crisis, who have cared for someone through suicidal crisis and people bereaved by suicide. We acknowledge their journey and thank them for so generously sharing their expertise and guidance.
CONTENT ADVICE
We acknowledge that each of us are impacted by mental health challenges, alcohol and other drug challenges and suicide in different ways. We know that talking about these topics can at times raise unexpected emotions for people. This Protocol discusses sensitive subjects including suicide which may be distressing or difficult.
Please consider self-care practices and reach out for support if needed from a trusted contact or through a support service.
SUPPORT LINES
Help may be reached through the following support services:
GENERAL YOUTH
NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511
Lifeline 13 11 14 | Text 0477 13 11 14 (24/7) | lifeline.org.au
13 YARN 13 92 76 | 13yarn.org.au Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service (24/7)
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 | suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 | beyondblue.org.au/forums
StandBy Support After Suicide 1300 727 247
QLife 1800 184 527 | qlife.org.au LGBTIQ+ service (3pm-9pm)
MensLine 1300 78 99 78 | mensline.org.au
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 | kidshelpline.com.au
headspace 1800 650 890 | headspace.org.au
ReachOut reachout.com.au
OTHER RESOURCES
Medicare Mental Health medicarementalhealth.gov.au
SANE online forums saneforums.org | 1800 187 263 (10am-10pm)
Embrace Multicultural Mental Health embracementalhealth.org.au
National Alcohol and other Drug Hotline 1800 250 185
National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 | gamblinghelponline.org.au
LOCAL RESPONSE GROUP CONTACT DETAILS
Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) provides the coordination function of the Local Response Group (LRG), the LRG can be contacted via email or phone as listed below:
Email: localresponsegroup@mphn.org.au
Mobile: 0436 608 203
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, excluding public holidays.
ABBREVIATIONS
LGA Local Government Area
LGBTQIA+ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex and Asexual plus LRG Local Response Group
MLHD Murrumbidgee Local Health District
MPHN Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network
MSPAC Murrumbidgee Suicide Prevention and Aftercare Collaborative
NOK Next of Kin
NSWPF New South Wales Police Force
RC Response Coordinator
TERM DEFINITION
Suicide Suicide is defined as death caused by self-directed injurious behaviour with intent to die because of the behaviour.
Suspected death by suicide
High impact suicide attempt/selfharm incident
An official cause of death is determined by the State Coroner and rulings may be subject to investigation and the gathering of evidence. Until the Coroner has determined the official cause of death, all deaths by suicide are, ostensibly, ‘suspected’ deaths by suicide. This Protocol refers to death by suicide whether it is suspected or confirmed.
Any act of self-harm or attempted suicide that is either witnessed by many people or results in significant distress within a community. These incidents are characterised not only by the actions of the person involved but also by the considerable psychological, emotional, or social repercussions on the broader public.
Suicide prevention Suicide prevention aims to decrease the number of people who die by suicide or attempt suicide each year, focusing on reducing risk factors for suicide and enhancing protective factors that prevent suicide and suicidal behaviour.
Suicide postvention
Suicide cluster
Suicide exposure
Suicide contagion
Self-harm
The coordination of events after a suicide with a dual focus on bereavement support and the prevention of future suicidal behaviours amongst people bereaved and within the wider impacted community. The term ‘postvention’ is used to include activities developed by, with, and for, people bereaved by suicide, to facilitate recovery and to prevent adverse outcomes including suicidal behaviour.
A suicide cluster is defined as a group of suicides, suicide attempts, or self-harm events that occur closer together in time and space than would normally be expected in a given community.
In the context of suicide, exposure refers to anyone who knows or identifies with someone who has been suicidal or has died by suicide. It includes people who have been bereaved, affected by and generally exposed to the suicide of another. A person may be exposed to suicide directly (for example, through the death of someone known to them) or indirectly (for example, through media reports or social media).
Suicide contagion refers to the process whereby a suicide or suicidal act within a community or geographic area increases the likelihood that others will attempt or die by suicide. Suicide contagion can lead to a suicide cluster, where a number of connected suicides occur following an initial death.
Self-harm is when someone deliberately injures themselves. This is also referred to as self-injury or deliberate self-harm and is generally considered non-suicidal in intent, but in young people it may be hard to clearly define. Often young people may present with ambivalence regarding outcomes from self-harm behaviour.
LANGUAGE GUIDE
The words we use can make all the difference. When communicating about suicide it’s important to remember that suicide is a complex issue and the way we communicate about suicide can have either a positive or negative impact on a person’s life.
Mindframe’s language guide was developed to support anyone communicating about suicide to the public to minimise risk for all audiences, this guide is also useful in everyday discussions with people.
The guide also highlights phrases and language, which may be problematic, especially in perpetuating negative stereotypes.
Learn more: https://mindframe.org.au/suicide/communicating-about-suicide/language
CONSIDER THE LANGUAGE YOU USE
ISSUE
Presenting suicide as a desired outcome
Associating suicide with crime or sin
Sensationalising suicide
Language glamourising a suicide attempt
Gratuitous use of the term ‘suicide’
PROBLEMATIC
‘successful suicide’, ‘unsuccessful suicide’
‘committed suicide’, ‘commit suicide’
‘suicide epidemic’
‘failed suicide’, ‘suicide bid’
‘political suicide’, ‘suicide mission’
PREFERRED
‘died by suicide’, ‘took their own life’
‘took their own life’, ‘suicide death’
‘increasing rates’, ‘higher rates’
‘suicide attempt’, ‘non-fatal attempt’
refrain from using the term suicide out of context
IMPACTS OF SUICIDE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF POSTVENTION SUPPORT
Suicide remains to be a significant public concern in Australia. In 2023, there were 3,214 lives lost to suicide nationwide1 – an average of nine people per day – making it the leading cause of death among Australians 15-44 years of age2. Research further demonstrates that approximately 1 in 20 people are impacted by a suicide in any one year, and 1 in 5 during their lifetime3
The ripple effects of suicide are also wide; studies show that up to 135 people are affected to some degree by every person lost to suicide4. These impacts can include:
• Emotional and mental health challenges such as grief, trauma, depression, PTSD, anxiety, substance use, and most importantly suicidal thoughts.
• Physical health impacts from prolonged stress and grief.
• Children and young people bereaved by suicide are at increased risk of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
• Social impacts including stigma, shame, guilt, and isolation, which make suicide bereavement especially complex compared to other forms of loss.
Although all forms of bereavement can impact physical and mental health, bereavement following suicide may present with unique challenges. This is often due to the stigma surrounding suicide which can intensify feelings of shame, guilt, and social isolation5. Evidence therefore indicates that people bereaved by suicide are at increased risk of suicide themselves, regardless of whether they were biologically related to the person who died or not6. This is where postvention becomes so important.
WHAT IS POSTVENTION AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
The Black Dog Institute defines postvention as:
”An intervention conducted after a suicide has occurred and usually targeting people bereaved by the suicide including family, friends, professionals, community members, colleagues, and peers.” 7
Postvention is not just about responding after a loss, it is also a form of suicide prevention, because timely and compassionate support can lower the risk of suicide among people who are bereaved.
All Australians bereaved or impacted by suicide should be able to access postvention support. It is a critical aspect of trauma-informed support for anyone bereaved or impacted by suicide. Furthermore, postvention responses are most effective when they are coordinated across services and communities, ensuring people are neither left to cope alone nor overwhelmed by overlapping, disconnected efforts. Effective responses also involve a wide range of stakeholders in their design, delivery, and ongoing review.
Research shows that people bereaved by suicide often share four key needs8:
✓ Their needs change over time ✓ They often struggle to navigate services
✓ Many experience stigma and social isolation ✓ Most value opportunities to connect with others
1 Australian Bureau of Statistics. “Causes of Death, Australia.” ABS, 2023, https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/causes-death/causes-death-australia/latest-release.
2 ‘Deaths in Australia’, 11 Jul 2023, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Deaths in Australia, Leading causes of death – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (aihw.gov.au)
3 Andriessen, K., Rahman, B., Draper, B., Dudley, M. & Mitchell, PB. (2017). Prevalence of exposure to suicide: A metaanalysis of population-based studies, Journal of Psychiatric Research, 88:113-20.
4 Cerel J, Brown M, Maple M, Singleton J, van de Venne J, Moore M, et al. How Many People Are Exposed to Suicide? Not Six. Suicide and LifeThreatening Behavior. 2018. DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12450
5 Spillane, A., Larkin, C., Corcoran, P., Matvienko-Sikar, K. & Arensman, E. (2017). What are the physical and psychological health effects of suicide bereavement on family members? Protocol for an observational and interview mixed-methods study in Ireland, BMJ Open.
6 Pitman A, Osborn D, King M, Erlangsen A. Effects of suicide bereavement on mental health and suicide risk. Lancet Psychiatry. 2014 Jun;1(1):86-94. doi: 10.1016/S22150366(14)70224-X. Epub 2014 Jun 4. PMID: 26360405.
7 Black Dog Institute (2019). Guidance for a Systems Approach to Suicide Prevention for Rural and Remote Communities in Australia. Sydney, Black Dog Institute
8 Ross, Victoria & Kõlves, Kairi & De Leo, Diego. (2019). Exploring the Support Needs of People Bereaved by Suicide: A Qualitative Study. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying. 82. 003022281982577. 10.1177/0030222819825775.
Participants of the Exploring the Support Needs of People Bereaved by Suicide: A Qualitative Study described feeling too overwhelmed to seek help, which highlights the need for proactive approaches. Active postvention strategies can therefore make a substantial difference in the immediate aftermath of such a tragic event. By supplementing services from first responders and facilitating support referrals without people bereaved having to seek services themselves, active postvention ensures more immediate access and engagement with support resources9. This can be crucial in helping people cope with the overwhelming emotions and challenges that arise after losing someone to suicide.
Led by Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network, the Local Response Group is a collaboration of key local services and organisations that come together after a community has been impacted by suicide to coordinate support across the Murrumbidgee region. The LRG recognises how important it is to use active postvention approaches. By facilitating timely connections to appropriate supports, the LRG demonstrates its commitment to supporting people and communities when they need it most.
BACKGROUND
In 2018, key stakeholders involved in suicide prevention in the Murrumbidgee region came together for a roundtable discussion regarding current initiatives, challenges, and gaps in suicide prevention and postvention strategies. This included the consideration of existing responses to suicide within the community and how the region and its emergency and mental health services could improve localised support.
From this meeting, members agreed on several priority areas which informed the first ‘Murrumbidgee Suicide Prevention Priority Action Plan’ to help guide activities. One key priority was the creation of a LRG to ensure coordinated and timely supports following a death by suicide or a high-impact suicide attempt/self-harm incident in the Murrumbidgee area.
In 2020, roundtable members formalised their partnership as the Murrumbidgee Suicide Prevention and Aftercare Collaborative. One of their first actions was to endorse the LRG which brings together representatives from MPHN, Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD), Wellways, NSW Police, and NSW Ambulance. The work of the LRG is guided by this document, the Murrumbidgee Suicide Postvention Communications and Response Protocol.
PROTOCOL PURPOSE
The Murrumbidgee Suicide Postvention Communications and Response Protocol provides a framework for how the LRG supports the community following a death by suicide or a high-impact suicide attempt/self-harm incident. It describes how postvention activities are coordinated, how incident response plans are activated, and the roles and responsibilities of all involved.
The Murrumbidgee Suicide Postvention Communications and Response Protocol’s purpose is to ensure:
• A coordinated and effective response to a death by suicide or high impact suicide attempt/selfharm incident in the Murrumbidgee.
• Community members or people and groups within the community at increased risk of suicide are supported.
• A supported approach to building community capacity and capability in responding to suicide.
and perceived effectiveness of a community-led active outreach postvention intervention for people bereaved by suicide. Front Public Health. 2022 Dec 22;10:1040323. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1040323. PMID: 36620290; PMCID: PMC9815599
9 Hill NTM, Walker R, Andriessen K, Bouras H, Tan SR, Amaratia P, Woolard A, Strauss P, Perry Y, Lin A. Reach
LRG scope
GEOGRAPHICAL REACH
This protocol covers the Murrumbidgee region as identified in the below map:
WIRADJURI
POPULATION
The population group covered by the LRG is anyone living in the geographical region as defined above. However, LRG activity extends to people residing outside this region who either access education or employment within the identified geographical area.
If an incident occurs in the Murrumbidgee region involving a person who lives outside the identified area and whose family is also not local, the LRG will ensure that people impacted are linked with appropriate support services in their own communities.
YITHA
Edward River
Murray River
Berrigan Federation
Greater Hume
Lockhart Wagga Wagga
Snowy Valleys
Cootamundra -Gundagai Regional Hilltops
Junee
Coolamon
Temora Bland
Lachlan (part)
Carrathool
Hay
Murrumbidgee
Gri th Leeton
Narrandera
Key personnel and stakeholders
THE MURRUMBIDGEE LOCAL RESPONSE GROUP
The LRG includes representatives from:
The primary role of the LRG is to respond to individual and community needs following a death by suicide or high impact suicide attempt/self-harm incident, guided by this document, the Murrumbidgee Suicide Postvention Communications and Response Protocol.
MPHN is the organisational lead of the LRG and employs the Suicide Prevention Regional Response Coordinator (RC) who manages the coordination, communication and data governance of the LRG activity.
SUICIDE PREVENTION REGIONAL RESPONSE COORDINATOR
The RC is employed by MPHN and serves as the central coordination point for the LRG. The RC ensures timely, culturally safe, and collaborative responses to suspected suicides or high-impact suicide attempt/self-harm incident.
Key functions of the role include:
• Acting as the central point of contact for notifications and communication with LRG members and stakeholders.
• Coordinating incident response meetings and ensuring the right stakeholders are engaged.
• Supporting the mobilisation of resources and documenting actions taken.
• Maintaining data records in line with privacy, confidentiality, and governance legislation and requirements.
OTHER KEY STAKEHOLDERS
When responding to death by suicide or high impact suicide attempt/self-harm incident other stakeholders are identified based on the circumstances of each incident and the needs of impacted people and communities. These may include schools, workplaces, community organisations and specialist services. Their involvement provides expertise and resources, helping to ensure a comprehensive, coordinated, appropriate and effective response.
The RC in collaboration with LRG members will identify and invite other stakeholders as needed.
The LRG recognises the importance of privacy and confidentiality in dealing with sensitive information related to suicide, and therefore all LRG members and stakeholders involved in a response are required to sign privacy and confidentiality agreements, underscoring the importance of protecting personal and sensitive information, the privacy of people involved, and legislative requirements.
All representatives attending incident response meetings must have the decision-making capacity and authority to commit to actions, prioritise matters, allocate resources and contribute to the response plan on behalf of the organisation or entity they are representing.
See Appendix B for stakeholder list.
LRG incident response process
An incident response is the coordinated approach the LRG takes after a death by suicide or a highimpact suicide attempt/self-harm incident. The aim is to respond with care, support the people and communities affected, strengthen how local services work together, and reduce the risk of further harm.
NOTIFICATION
The process starts when the Response Coordinator (RC) is notified of a suspected suicide or highimpact attempt.
• Notifications are received via the LRG email (localresponsegroup@mphn.org.au ) Or the LRG mobile (0436 608 203), both channels are monitored Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm (excluding public holidays).
• Sources of notification may include NSW Police, government and non-government organisations, health services, schools, or community members.
When a notification is received from a source outside the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF), the Regional Coordinator (RC) will take steps to confirm the information through other LRG members or credible sources before proceeding with the notification process. Once the incident has been verified and relevant details obtained, the RC will initiate communication with the LRG to complete the notification process.
INFORMATION GATHERING
The RC will collect key information from stakeholders to help guide decisions and shape the response. The table below outlines what information is collected and why.
INFORMATION PURPOSE
Personal information
Identifying the person, next of kin, family, colleagues, friends, groups, or clubs etc.
Recent or past health service interactions
E.g. General practice, acute mental health and/or aftercare services.
First Nations background
Members of a culturally diverse community
To determine impacts to family members, dependents within the household, workplace colleagues or community group members.
To ensure appropriate referral pathways and supports are actioned.
LGBTQIA+
Location of the suspected suicide or high impact suicide attempt/self-harm incident
How the next of kin wish to refer to the death
To determine whether the person was engaged in services to support a coordinated and effective response including already engaged supports.
To identify behaviours, characteristics, and risk factors that may inform postvention or prevention supports in the community.
To determine response plan requirements and to identify opportunities to strengthen local system responses.
Ensure culturally safe and appropriate postvention and community supports are offered.
Discussions should avoid using the word ‘death’ and instead refer to a ‘passing by suicide’ or a person who has ‘passed’.
Discussions should avoid using the person’s name unless permission is granted by the family.
Ensure culturally appropriate postvention and community supports are offered, tailored to the specific cultural and language needs.
Provide clear communication and outreach that is sensitive to language barriers, cultural practices, and potential stigma associated with suicide in different cultural contexts.
Ensure that postvention supports and communication are inclusive and affirming of LGBTQIA+ identities.
Acknowledge the potential for unique risks that LGBTQIA+ community may face, such as discrimination, stigma, and social isolation.
To identify trends in location of incidents and support the identification of any emerging trends or high-risk locations to implement mitigation strategies.
Identification of witnesses and first responders who may require debrief and support.
The information ensures engagement with the bereaved next of kin is sensitive, respectful, and aligned with their preferences.
The RC and LRG members will review the following incident response criteria to determine whether a formal LRG response is required:
CRITERIA
Aged under 25
DESCRIPTION
The person involved is under 25 years old, which can increase vulnerability and risk, particularly among younger people who may have less access to supports.
Community visibility
Public/community impact
Media and social media attention
Link to previous suicide or traumatic event
The person is well-known or has strong connections within the community, increasing the likelihood of widespread impact and emotional distress within the community.
The incident occurred in a public space or was witnessed by community members, potentially heightening the collective trauma experienced and the need for a coordinated response.
The incident is receiving significant media or social media attention, which may amplify the emotional impact on the community and contribute to heightened distress or increased risk of suicide.
The incident is connected to a previous suicide or another significant traumatic event, suggesting a pattern that could indicate the potential for suicide contagion/cluster or heightened community distress.
If the criteria for an incident response activation are met, the RC will promptly bring LRG members together and organise an incident response meeting within 24–48 hours of receipt of the notification. The RC and LRG members will ensure other relevant stakeholders are engaged based on the specific needs, demographics, and cultural considerations of the incident, ensuring appropriate representation. The purpose of the meeting is to understand how the incident may affect the community and to plan a targeted, coordinated, and culturally safe response.
For notification where the formal incident response criteria are not met and a formal LRG incident response is not required, the RC will still provide a notification to LRG members and provide coordination support to ensure impacted families, carers, kin and communities are connected to postvention supports.
FORMAL
The LRG uses the Circles of Vulnerability model to identify who is impacted, provide support to reduce distress, and reduce the risk of further incidents.
P OPULATIONATRISK
GEOGRAPHICAL PROXIMITY
SOCIAL PROXIMITY
PSYCHOSOCIAL PROXIMITY
Psychosocial proximity Is used to see how a person within a community identifies with the deceased. People may have a personal bond with the deceased, sharing similar stressors identified as contributing to death, similar age, similar sexual orientation, religious/ community connections.
Geographical proximity Refers to an eyewitness account, the distance and location of the incident and people who may have been exposed to the event or exposed to visual aftermaths. Media coverage can intensify the proximity and exposure within a community, especially if the method of reporting is sensationalised.
Social proximity Identifies people who have a close relationship with the deceased, e.g. friends, family, romantic relationships/interests, acquaintances, people who moved in the same social circles, wider cultural or faith community connections.
Population risk People who have been exposed to past traumatic events may have pre-existing conditions that further exacerbate psychosocial factors around a suicide-related death in their community, such as mental health conditions, impact of previous traumatic events, prior suicidal behaviours, substance use issues, family conflict.
Once a formal incident response is activated, members of the LRG, together with identified key stakeholders, work collaboratively to coordinate actions through a multi-layered approach. Each organisation contributes according to its role, capacity, and expertise. Every incident response is unique and tailored to meet specific needs.
The RC ensures consistency and connection across four key areas:
1. Supporting individuals and families
2. Community supports
3. Managing communications
4. Suicide prevention strategies
This holistic, wrap-around approach ensures the right services are engaged at the right time, messages are communicated safely, and people know where to access help. Each response is guided by care, respect, and cultural sensitivity aiming not only to support individuals directly impacted but also to strengthen community wellbeing and long-term prevention efforts.
Figure 1. Circles of Vulnerability model
LRG Response Coordination
Governance, oversight, integration, safety, and consistency across all responses.
Individual and Family Support
Postvention services: Assistance through services like Murrumbidgee After Suicide Support, StandBy, and Thirrili.
Mental health and grief support: Referrals to clinical care, grief counselling, and group support.
Practical supports: Assistance with household, funeral, and family needs.
Referral coordination: Timely referral pathways to ongoing supports.
Community Supports
Postvention and mental health support: Access to local services, counselling and mental health care.
Identification and referral: Identifying vulnerable individuals and coordinating timely referrals.
School, workplace, and community support: Resources and guidance to help communities respond effectively to suicide.
Communications
Information sharing: Verified, clear communication between organisations.
Help-seeking messaging: Promoting help-seeking across social media, school, and workplaces.
Media coordination: Partnering with media to ensure safe, consistent, and stigmafree messaging.
Community messaging: Sharing resources widely across communications.
Suicide Prevention
Building community capacity: Empowering communities to respond to and prevent suicide.
Monitoring data and trends: Using data insights to guide to track patterns and guide prevention strategies.
Training and education: Providing learning and education to build skills and awareness for recognising and responding to suicide across the community.
Intended Outcomes
A coordinated and compassionate response to suicide and high-impact self-harm incidents. Support for at-risk individuals and communities. Strengthened community capability to respond and recover.
Murrumbidgee
INCIDENT RESPONSE TIMEFRAME
If it is determined an incident response will be activated the RC will coordinate a meeting within 24-48 hours of receiving the notification and disseminating documentation to LRG members.
A response is not time limited and can remain active for as long as there are actions to be completed, levels of ongoing risk identified, or it is determined a community needs additional supports requiring coordination.
INCIDENT RESPONSE DEACTIVATION PROCESS
Deactivating the formal incident response marks the shift from crisis support to ongoing care and monitoring. It means the immediate distress and risk have reduced, and people are engaging with support services. The LRG will formally decide to end the response when it’s clear that a coordinated approach is no longer needed. However, support for impacted people and communities will continue.
The timing of deactivation is flexible and depends on the situation and input from all involved stakeholders. If distress in the community increases again after deactivation, the response can be reactivated to meet new or ongoing needs. This flexible approach shows the LRG’s commitment to continued support and community wellbeing
Criteria considered for formal incident response deactivation, includes:
• Assessment of community needs: Decrease in community distress and risk no longer requires an active formal response.
• Integration with regular support services: Impacted people and communities are successfully connected to and utilising ongoing support services.
• Completion of response actions: All planned response actions have been completed, or it is determined that remaining actions can be managed by engaged service providers.
• Absence of new information: No new information or developments to suggest the need for continued response activation.
Notification received of suspected suicide or high impact suicide attempt/self-harm incident received by RC.
RC coordinates with key stakeholders to gather information.
RC notifies the LRG of suspected suicide or high impact suicide attempt/self-harm incident.
RC and LRG assess response activation criteria to determine decision.
NO – formal response activation not required YES – formal response activation required
Referral to postvention services to support family and communities.
Notification monitoring – RC and LRG monitor and follow up any recommendations required.
Notification review – RC and LRG complete notification reviews at quarterly LRG meeting to inform quality improvement process.
Response activation – LRG meeting is coordinated within 2 business days to coordinate supports for families and communities impacted.
RC will engage all relevant stakeholders.
Response meetings – LRG and other stakeholders will continue to meet to monitor the situation and assess response effectiveness.
Response deactivation – RC, LRG and other stakeholders will assess response deactivation in line with deactivation criteria.
Response review – RC and LRG complete response reviews at quarterly LRG meeting to inform quality improvement process.
Implementation and review
LRG QUARTERLY REVIEW MEETINGS
Quarterly LRG review meetings play a pivotal role in the continuous improvement and strategic oversight of LRG operations. The regular meeting function encompasses several key areas, including:
ORGANISATIONAL UPDATES
• Updates on LRG membership, including any changes in roles or responsibilities.
• Updates from LRG organisations, including staffing changes, capacity, and operational adjustments.
• Identification of any resourcing challenges or constraints that may impact participation in LRG activities or response efforts.
QUARTERLY NOTIFICATION AND RESPONSE REVIEW
• Review of all notifications and responses from the previous quarter to assess timeliness, coordination, and effectiveness.
• Debriefing opportunity allowing members to reflect on what worked well, identify challenges, and discuss areas for improvement.
• Assessment of LRG response protocol, including whether it remains fit for purpose or requires adjustments based on recent responses.
DATA REVIEW
• Analysis of relevant data to track patterns, measure impact, and inform activity and decisionmaking.
FUTURE PLANNING
• Community events and awareness campaigns.
• Days of significance that require targeted action.
• Emerging community needs that may benefit from proactive LRG involvement.
• Review of resources, training opportunities, or capacity-building initiatives to strengthen LRG effectiveness.
Quarterly review meetings are vital for ensuring LRG responses effectively respond to immediate incidents and continuously improves and adapts to better serve the community’s needs over time. Through regular evaluation, feedback integration, and strategic and proactive planning, these meetings help to enhance the protocol’s effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance.
CONSENT
It is best practice to seek consent from the Next of Kin (NOK) prior to an LRG referral, this supports privacy for the deceased or impacted person and their family. However, consent is not a strict requirement.
In certain situations, and circumstances, the LRG may still activate a response without obtaining consent. This typically occurs when there are concerns about significant community risk, such as the potential for further deaths by suicide or widespread impact following a suicide or a high-impact suicide attempt or self-harm incident. In these cases, activation proceeds under the overarching principle of duty of care to at-risk people and/or communities.
Maintaining privacy, confidentiality and protecting the personal information of people involved when undertaking postvention responses is paramount. All parties operating under the protocol are to act within the bounds of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act)10 and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act)11, in relation to the collection, use or disclosure of personal or health information. This collection of data is limited to what is reasonably required to provide coordinated postvention support and meet duty of care obligations.
The LRG, RC, and other key stakeholders ensure compliance with privacy legislation and confidentiality obligations through the following measures:
• Adherence to privacy legislation:
All involved parties pledge to protect personal, health, sensitive, and non-personal information pertinent to the Protocol’s operations, and actively establish and enforce internal policies that align with Australian privacy laws, as stipulated by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Additionally, the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) governs access to health information. This Act specifies that the privacy of an individual’s health information is preserved for 30 years following their death, though provisions exist for family members and other relevant entities to access a deceased person’s information under certain conditions.
• Adherence to organisational privacy policies:
All involved parties engaged under this protocol are tasked with handling the personal, health, and sensitive information with the utmost respect and without deviating from their organisation’s privacy and confidentiality policies.
• Confidentiality agreement:
All involved parties engaged under this protocol are required to sign a confidentiality agreement. This agreement outlines their obligation to maintain the confidentiality of personal information and prohibits the sharing of confidential documents or information with unauthorised personnel.
• Secure storage of information:
The RC, LRG, and other engaged stakeholders must ensure that all documents and templates used for information collection and response planning are stored securely, in line with best practice principles. This includes storing information in password-protected systems or encrypted databases to prevent unauthorised access.
• Limited access to information: Access to sensitive information is strictly limited to people who require the information to perform their duties effectively. Stakeholders should implement access controls and permissions to ensure that personal information is only accessible to authorised personnel.
• Secure sharing of information: Information is shared through secure email channels and password-encrypted documents. Passwords are only provided to stakeholders who have signed the confidentiality agreement, ensuring that data remains protected and accessible solely to approved parties.
• Regular review of legislation, policies and procedures:
The RC, LRG, and other engaged stakeholders must conduct regular reviews of privacy legislation, policies and procedures to ensure they remain up to date with any changes in legislation or best practices. Make necessary updates to protocols and training materials as needed.
In situations involving suicide attempts or individuals at risk of suicide, stakeholders must balance privacy and confidentiality with their duty of care, which may require overriding consent to disclose information under serious or immediate threats to health, safety, or public welfare, as permitted by the Privacy Act and relevant NSW legislation.
10 New South Wales Government. (2007). Mental Health Act 2007 No 8. NSW Legislation.
Retrieved from https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-2007-008
11 New South Wales Government. (1998). Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 No 157. NSW Legislation.
Retrieved from https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1998-157
Under the Health Privacy Principle (HPP) 7 of the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act), exceptions are outlined where health information can be disclosed without individual consent. For deceased persons’ health information, disclosure by a health service provider is permissible when:
• There exists a serious and imminent threat to the health or welfare of an individual or others, or a significant threat to public health or safety.
• The disclosed genetic information could significantly mitigate or prevent a serious threat to the health or safety of a genetic relative.
• Immediate family members seek the information, compassionate grounds justify its release, and disclosure is reasonably limited to those compassionate circumstances.
By following these measures, the LRG, RC, and other engaged stakeholders can uphold the confidentiality of personal information and comply with legislation while carrying out postvention activities effectively.
Appendices
APPENDIX A: LRG MEMBERS
• Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN)
• Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD)
• NSW Ambulance
• NSW Police Force
• Wellways
APPENDIX B: OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
• ACON
• Albury Wodonga Community Action Group
• Albury Wodonga Health
• Catholic Education
• Centacare
• Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group
• Department of Education
• Everymind
• Grand Pacific Health
• Griffith Aboriginal Medical Centre (GAMS)
• Griffith City Council
• Grow
• Headspace
• Headspace BeYou
• Headspace National School Support
• Lifeline Albury
• LikeMind
• Marathon Health
• Members of Parliament – Steph Cooke (Cootamundra), Dr Joe McGirr (Wagga Wagga), Michael McCormack (Riverina)
• Mindframe
• Multicultural Council Griffith
• Multicultural Council Wagga
• Murray Primary Health Network
• Narrandera Council
• Other relevant community groups identified by family and friends
• Ovens Murray Mental Health & Drug Alliance (OMMHADA)
• Premiers Department
• Pro Patria
• Regional NSW – Regions, Industry, Agricultures & Resources
• Relationships Australia
• Riverina Medical & Dental Aboriginal Corporation (RIVMED)
• Riverina Veterans Wellbeing Centre
• RSL LifeCare
• Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative
• The Association of Independent Schools of NSW
• The Healthy Communities Foundation
• Thirrili
• Western NSW Primary Health Network