StandBy Support After Suicide will lead the development of suicide postvention services across metropolitan, regional and remote NSW as part of a new consortium partnership, thanks to a $4.2 million investment by the NSW Government.
The investment in postvention services is part of Towards Zero Suicides; a NSW Premier’s Priority to improve systems and practices to better support anyone impacted by suicide.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the state-wide post-suicide support services and resources will provide a range of practical and psychological support to NSW residents bereaved or impacted by suicide.
“The devastating impact of suicide does not stop at family and friends. It extends to neighbours, colleagues, emergency workers on scene, and members of the general public,” Mrs Taylor said.
“It is estimated that up to 135 people can be impacted by a single suicide.”
Standby has partnered with Jesuit Social Services’ Support After Suicide program, Roses in the Ocean and University of New England to design and deliver the services.
StandBy’s General Manager Karen Phillips says the consortium has developed a service model based on their collective experience of coordinated postvention support to cater for the distinct needs of different population groups.
“Our partnership is uniquely placed to deliver the NSW Post Suicide Support initiative due to the opportunity to leverage existing and prospective national postvention funding through the Commonwealth’s National Suicide Prevention and Leadership Program,” Ms Phillips said.
“The new service will build on existing expertise and resources to co-design supports focused on three distinct points of response, including an immediate response with individuals and families, active response for community groups and ongoing community development,” she said.
Jesuit Social Services’ Support After Suicide Manager Dr Louise Flynn says they have delivered Support After Suicide across Melbourne and parts of regional Victoria for more than 15 years.
“We know that supporting people through the grief and trauma associated with suicide is crucial in preventing further suicides, and ultimately strengthening their resilience and wellbeing,” Dr Flynn said.
Roses in the Ocean CEO Bronwen Edwards says consortium partners understand that the experience of grief for people bereaved by suicide is unique and profoundly distressing.
“Support co-designed with people who have lived experience of suicide bereavement is foundational to the development of safe and effective services that meet the needs of people who use the services,” Ms Edwards said.
University of New England Professor Myfanwy Maple says, UNE will work closely with consortium.
“We will ensure the program components are evidenced based and that the model will contribute to the ongoing development of the evidence base for postvention support services,” she said.
Services will be either delivered directly by one of the consortium organisations or delivered through partnerships with external agencies to meet the identified needs of individuals and communities. These services will include:
- Active crisis contact number available 24 hours/7 days
- Crisis support delivered face to face, via phone and/or online
- Individual counselling sessions delivered by specialists
- Optional referral to the Roses in the Ocean Lived Experience SP CARE Connect
- Warmline
- Peer, community-based and family-based support
- Specific support programs for different cohorts including children, young people,
- parents, partners, siblings, adult children, men, workplaces and other groups identified
- Practical assistance
Proudly funded by the NSW Government.
If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 or one of these services:
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
- NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511
