Living Works
| Sharon Todd, manager of Youth Initiative Council, says: ‘Community members participating in training assists not only the community but the individual to self help. Action Areas 2 and 3 (individual and community resilience) are particularly important to our program.’ |
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Living Works is rolling out two new programs across the Pilbara (WA): 'SafeTALK', which prepares people to be a suicide alert helper, and 'Grief and Loss - Counselling the Bereaved workshop'.
Program duration
The Living Works program commenced in July 2007.
Location
Living Works runs in the Pilbara (WA) region. This region emcompasses several remote of Indigenous communities.
Aims
The aim of the Living Works program is to train community members to reduce suicide risk and in doing so promote individual: resilience, healing and help-seeking behaviour.
Activities
Living Works runs safeTALK sessions throughout the region to:
- recognise the signs of people who are at risk of suicide
- respond to situations
- apply basic TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen, and KeepSafe).
There are also plans to conduct a local needs analysis into:
- up-skilling leaders in at-risk groups
- peer support programs.
Model
The model is based on the existing Lifeline Living Works program.
Lessons learnt
- Training is only one dimension of a suicide prevention program.
- Communicating with people in rural and remote areas requires meeting people where they live. Local media assists with this.
- A holistic approach to recovery is required. One key element of this is a phone call every few days to see how people are feeling.
Evaluation information
Each session of the Living Works program is evaluated. Feedback from community members and their interest in participation helps shape the program.
Umbrella organisation
Youth Involvement Council (WA).
Project partners
Living Works has a number of expert reference groups, which facilitate programs including:
- Aboriginal Medical Service
- Secondary school students over 16 years
- the Well-Women centre
- the Sexual Health and Referral Centre
- the Pilbara mental health team.
Contact
Email Youth Involvement Council manager Sharon Todd at manager@yic.com or call 08 9140 1272.