LIFE News: Issue 1, August 2008
View LIFE News issue one in PDF format (880.02kB)
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Crisis Support Services CEO Wendy Sturgess |
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I would like to welcome readers to the beginning of an exciting development for people working to prevent suicide and self-harm. Crisis Support Services (CSS) is thrilled to be pioneering LIFE Communications—an innovative project that facilitates suicide and self-harm prevention expertise on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing for the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS).
Our recent accreditation by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) acknowledges CSS’s commitment to quality services in suicide prevention.
The project team is committed to supporting professional development within the sector by:
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disseminating the new Living Is For Everyone (LIFE) Framework; a practical, evidence-based resource to inform suicide and self-harm prevention activity.
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providing access to resources and the latest research via a revitalised website.
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establishing an interactive online community where professionals can share their expertise and resources via a discussion forum.
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showcasing local and overseas experts via live chats, and video and audio downloads from the website.
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hosting practical and informative events that feature LIFE resources.
LIFE Communications aims to build collaboration between NSPS projects, community services, GPs, allied health professionals, service providers, researchers, workplaces, and policy makers so people affected by suicide, or at risk of suicide, can receive a stronger and more coordinated approach to care.
I encourage you to
download the new LIFE Framework
and
share your comments about the resource
.
Wendy Sturgess is the Chief Executive Officer of Crisis Support Services.
Professor Ian Webster |
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New directions in suicide prevention
Professor Ian Webster
I have been journeying with the National Suicide Prevention Strategy to produce the LIFE Framework prior to its first edition in 2000. And I am pleased to announce the revised edition (2007) follows extensive consultation, resulting in a more user-friendly, practical and relevant resource.
The Living Is For Everyone (LIFE) Framework is the centrepiece of the national suicide prevention policy, and is the most up-to-date and comprehensive resource to shape and guide suicide and self-harm prevention activity in Australia. The LIFE Framework is supported by:
- research and evidence in suicide prevention, based on national and international sources
- practical resources for suicide prevention, a set of user-friendly fact sheets.
People who have read the preliminary release of the LIFE Framework say it is easier to use than the previous one. They find the language more inclusive, and the fact sheets are practical enough to use everyday. In short the LIFE Framework is a must-have resource whether you are a researcher seeking evidence in suicide and self-harm; a GP sourcing a fact sheet for a patient; or a community worker trying to plan an integrated, efficient project.
Professor Ian Webster AO is a physician and Emeritus Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine of the University of New South Wales.
Download the LIFE Framework or contact LIFE Communications to request a printed copy.
Coordinating care in the family law courts
In 2004 an ‘order of care’ was issued by a court judge for the 25,000 people who go through the Family Law Courts each year, and are often in a state of distress. Now all staff who work in the court system—from judges to court registrars—undergo training in mental health that includes first aid in suicide prevention.
Richard McPhetres, a project manager with the Integrated Client Services Delivery Program, says: ‘When we started the program in 2004 our initial research showed only 12-18 per cent of people knew where to seek help if they were highly distressed. This highlighted a big gap that needed to be filled in our service provision.
‘Now, we are making a difference by providing people with contacts and information on how to access help in times of distress; and our staff are able to answer questions and make referrals to service providers.
'Staff are also trained to better recognise people at high risk of suicide, anxiety or depression,’ says Mr McPhetres.
‘In addition to the comprehensive training we run, relationships with service providers are a core component of the program. We work closely with national organisations such as Centacare, Anglicare, Mensline Australia, and Lifeline,’ McPhetres explains.
Christine Hodges from Centacare Brisbane says: ‘A key benefit of the integrated service delivery with the Family Law Courts is that our shared clients experience less distress and maintain a greater sense of dignity. When people come from a court referral they are in a better space to consider services such as:
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changing abusive behaviour programs
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family and relationship counselling
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dispute resolution
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children’s groups
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positive parenting sessions.'
A number of the LIFE Framework Action Areas have assisted the courts to shape the integrated program. In particular Action Area 1 encourages an evidence-based approach, and Action Area 2 for improving people’s capacity for self-help.
The benefits of the integrated program are widespread. In addition to people who go through the court system experiencing less distress, the morale of the court’s 800 staff has also improved.
For more information on the Family Law Courts Integrated Client Service Delivery Program email
Julie Greig
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Australia’s first national Suicide Call Back Service
A phone counsellor for the SCBS |
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The Suicide Call Back Service (SCBS) is an innovative telephone counselling service for isolated people at risk of suicide. People referred to SCBS receive six free sessions with professional counsellors who have specialist skills in suicide-related issues. The calls are scheduled at a time that suits clients’ needs, seven days a week.
Crisis Support Services (CSS) has managed SCBS since its launch in July 2007. The service has supported hundreds of people who are:
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at risk of suicide
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caring for or concerned about someone at risk
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bereaved by suicide.
Laura Kennan
, General Manager of Clinical Support at CSS, says: ‘Our service is there to support people who fall through the mental health system’s gaps. These are often people experiencing difficulty:
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post emergency department discharge
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post incarceration
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rural and regional areas.
Kennan continues: ‘People affected by or at risk of suicide can receive six 50-minute professional counseling sessions.
The frequency of the calls is decided by the client, and is dependent on their needs.’
Clients are referred to SCBS via hospitals, police, coroners and social workers who are intimately aware of the risk isolation poses for vulnerable people; be it geographical, social or psychological.
If you work with people at risk of suicide and would like to refer them to the Suicide Call Back Service,
phone 1300 659 467
. Contact CSS on 03 8371 2800 to order brochures and posters.
NSPS project updates
One size does not fit all in suicide prevention
The We Know Our Strengths project is unique - there are few weekly meetings or scheduled appointments. Interaction with members happens organically, spontaneously, and principally by word of mouth.
The project, run by the Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation (in partnership with the Mental Health Association of Central Australia) started in response to a disproportionately high number of completed suicides in the region.
The program works mainly with Indigenous men and provides activities such as:
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social trips to local waterholes
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health checks
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nutrition programs
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individual support.
Liz Archer, youth services manager, says: ‘Suicide prevention in this project really requires a community by community approach when you consider our cultural and geographical context. Informal and flexible activities, along with support for the strategies that people have already identified as promoting strengths and resilience, work best.’
The three remote central Australian Aboriginal communities in the program are Titjikala, Mt. Liebig and Santa Teresa.
The work of We Know Our Strengths is an example of a tailored suicide prevention activity. For more information
email the project
or
visit the project pages
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NSPS project updates
Coordination builds Community Connections success
Back left, Keith (volunteer), back right, Nev (volunteer) and front, Tom (client) |
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In recent years 73-year-old Lloyd Enkelmann has helped 15 men survive suicidal episodes. As coordinator of the Community Connections program, he has supported these men to recover and become healthy, happy members of his regional Queensland community.
Community Connections is run by the Toowoomba Older Men’s Network (TOMNet) and it supports older men in rural areas at high-risk of suicide.
The program has two components:
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a rural outreach team to establish support groups in rural areas
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a home visit team to contact lonely and isolated individuals.
A core aspect of the program is its coordinated approach through inter-agency referrals.
Enkelmann says: ‘The referral process has emerged over time. Local service providers such as Carers Queensland, The Salvation Army and Centacare refer people to Community Connections. In turn we refer people at risk to other services where appropriate.’
Enkelmann says a coordinated approach to suicide prevention forms the basis of the program. He continues: ‘The new LIFE Framework is a terrific resource. This, along with the feedback of people who use and refer to our services, continues to inform how we can operate more effectively.’
If you would like to refer someone to TOMNet and the Community Connections Program
call 07 4638 9080
, email
TOMNet
or visit our
project pages
.
NSPS project update
Young refugees move from isolation to socialisation
Since July 2007 the Refugee Youth Active and Connected with Everyone (RYACE) program has been building individual and community resilience for 150 refugee youth from Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs.
Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre runs the program’s activities, which include:
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basketball
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art classes
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water safety training
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healthy eating talks
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one-on-one counselling.
There are also plans to expand activities to include sessions for parents and budgeting classes for teens.
Malaz’s Story
Above: Malaz, a participant of RYACE |
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Malaz is a smiley 16-year-old refugee from Sudan. Her life before joining the RYACE program was: ‘Boring, I didn’t have any friends…no one to talk to,’ says Malaz.
Now Malaz plays basketball, goes to the movies, paints and attends health talks. Malaz says about RYACE, ‘It’s fun to come here, talk with friends and learn about things. I now find it easier to make friends at school because I am more confident.’
Ben Waterhouse, RYACE youth project officer, says: ‘When people first come to the program they are usually quiet, shy and disengaged. Through sport and play activities with health professionals, police and peers, we see them become more talkative – even to the point of boisterous! It’s also amazing to see what comes out in art classes, particularly from young guys who don’t usually express their feelings in words.’
RYACE is growing to meet the changing needs of refugee youth from countries such as Afghanistan, Africa, Vietnam and the Philippines. Waterhouse is already using the LIFE Framework as a guide to assist building resilience in young refugees. ‘When developing a strategy I sit down with the aims, goals and research on the left hand, and the LIFE Frameworkon the right,’ explains Waterhouse.
‘Action Area 1 of the LIFE Framework about evidence-based research is particularly useful when developing a strategy. I begin by assessing the needs of young people and consider anecdotal knowledge. I then find evidence-based research to support the identified need. A recent example of this is the association between the increased occurrence of drowning and new migrants. Based on the evidence, I decided to incorporate water safety into our range of activities.’
For more information about the RYACE program,
contact Ben Waterhouse.
Is there a relationship between self-harm and suicidality?
The first-ever population-based study in Australia of self-injury across all ages is currently being completed by the University of Queensland. The Australian National Epidemiological Study of Self-injury (ANESSI) uses computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), to gather information from a representative sample of 12,000 Australians aged 10 and above from all states and territories of Australia.
Led by Professor Graham Martin OAM, Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The University of Queensland,
ANESSI aims to determine the prevalence and nature of deliberate self-injury among the Australian population and better understand the relationships between self-injury, trauma, psychological factors, suicidality, substance use and broad demographic factors. Additionally, information about self-injury methods, motivations, frequency, service utilisation and help-seeking will be obtained.
ANESSI was commissioned in response to the current lack of available evidence, common misconceptions of deliberate self-injury, and poor professional responses to individuals who self-injure. The findings, due to be completed by October 2008, will strengthen the national research base for suicide and self-injury and improve the management and treatment of individuals who self-injure.
Young male suicide rate falls by 40 per cent in Scotland
The findings contained in the study ‘Reduction in young male suicide rates in Scotland’ reveal a significant fall in the rate of suicide in young Scottish men in a four year period from 2000.
The study undertaken by Dr Cameron Stark found that there was a 42 per cent decrease in the rate of 15 to 29-year-old men. The analysis also found a significant change in the method of suicide used in this age group, which corresponds with the overall reduction in the suicide rate after 2000. No other age group for men showed a significant change in trend between 1980 and 2004.
Dr Stark is the research team leader from the Department of Public Health (UK), NHS Highland. He warns: ‘It is encouraging that deaths from other methods in young men have not increased, but we need to review the statistics carefully for non-fatalities before we can be really sure about a true decrease in self-harming behaviour, rather than just a change in method preference.’
For more information on current international and national research or to view this report visit the
LIFE library
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Resourcing and funding of suicide prevention programs and services is an ever present issue for organisations. There are a variety of websites for people seeking funding that provide:
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access to a database of philanthropic organisations
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grant application assistance
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listings in directories of fund-seekers
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professional development opportunities in writing applications
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grant research services.
Four of the most useful sites for grant applicants in Australia include:
Share your experience of grant applications with your fellow suicide prevention colleagues – post a comment on our discussion forum or email LIFE Communications.
Resilience: the key to suicide and self-harm prevention
'Resilience offers protection from factors that may otherwise place someone at risk of suicide.’ – Living Is For Everyone (LIFE) Framework.
The new LIFE Framework positions individual and community resilience as a key protective factor to prevent suicide and self-harm. TheLIFE Framework devotes one-third of its Action Areas to the importance of building resilience, and outlines skills that contribute to a person’s ability to cope with adverse life events, including:
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problem solving skills
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communication skills and
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help-seeking behaviour.
These Action Areas are designed to improve individual and community resilience; support and encourage self-help; and increase awareness of what is needed to prevent suicide and self-harm. These strategies are broadly described as:
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building individual resilience and the capacity for self-help (Action Area 2)
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improving community strength, resilience and capacity in suicide prevention (Action Area 3).
Contact LIFE Communications
if your program incorporates resilience-building, and share a success story of what has improved a person’s or community’s capacity for self-help.
- The new release of the LIFE Framework. Download a revised copy from the livingisforeveryone.com.au website.
- If you would like a printed copy of the full LIFE resource, including the evidence document and fact sheets, contact LIFE Communications on 03 8398 8408.
- LIFE Professional Development Network. Join colleagues who work to prevent suicide and self-harm online to engage in the discussion forums and participate in live-chat seminars. Register for the Professional Development Network today.
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Back to contents
Calling for primary care stories
The next edition of LIFE News will turn the spotlight on primary care - including articles on how GPs address suicide and self-harm prevention.
Do you have a story idea about primary care and suicide and self-harm prevention?
Send your article, photo, research and story ideas to LIFE Communications.