Library item reviews
LIFE encourages readers to review library items. This can be achieved by following the 'review this item' link at the bottom of each library item. For review guidelines please consult the library review guidelines page.
Reviewed Items:
| Item reviewed |
A Review of 156 Local Projects Funded under Australia's National Suicide Prevention Strategy: Overview and lessons learned
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| Item author |
Headey, Alan; Pirkis, Jane; Merner, Bronwen; Vandenheuvel, Adriana; Mitchell, Penny; Robinson, Jo; P
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| Reviewed by |
Sian Lloyd
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| Review |
Summary
This article provides a brief overview of all the projects funded in the first round of Australia’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy. The paper describes in detail the range of interventions delivered to various target groups in different settings - for example, community based projects for young people and primary care based projects for older people. Using the project reports as the basis for this review the authors identify 13 key processes for successful projects across all target groups, settings and approaches. This includes ‘understanding the local context’, ‘forming collaborative partnerships’, and ‘taking evidence into account.’ The paper also describes the impact that the projects have had. These included improvements in participants’ knowledge about risk and protective factors for suicide, increase in social connectedness and reductions in depressive symptomatology. The authors found that the sustainability of the projects were limited by their funding periods and they recommend that consideration is given to the issue of sustainability in future funded projects. The authors also commented that there was a lack of comprehensive/sound evaluations of the projects and call for more investment in evaluation so that the evidence base in suicide prevention can be improved.
Critique and reflective component
From the title of the paper I was anticipating a rigorous review of projects, however the paper is very descriptive in nature and relies solely on the progress and final reports of the projects. However, this paper is useful if you wish to get a quick snapshot of the range of projects funded by the National Suicide Prevention Strategy and I would recommend it to any organisation embarking on a project as the key processes identified are a useful starting point.
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| Item reviewed |
square: foundations for effective practice |
| Item author |
square |
| Reviewed by |
Ms Debenham |
| Review |
I am reviewing suitable support material for an organisation that experienced suicidal threats from a distressed customer. I found the square material to be excellent; easily read, comprehensive, practical and very suitable for community and health professionals. I am an ASIST suicide prevention trainer and, apart from our own training material, I rate this material the best I have seen in all states of Australia.
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