Suicide Call Back Service (SCBS)

A phone counsellor for the SCBS.

The Suicide Call Back Service (SCBS) is a free, national and professional telephone counselling service for people at risk of suicide, their carers and people bereaved by suicide. SCBS supports callers through six counselling sessions, scheduled to suit clients' needs and is available seven days a week 10am - 8.30pm (EST).

Program duration

Commenced July 2007.

Location

Based in Melbourne, SCBS is a free national service. An initial referral call to the service on 1300 659 467 is used to establish the on-going counselling call-backs.

Aims

This service aims to provide support to people:

• who are at risk of suicide
• caring for someone at risk
• bereaved by suicide.

Activities

SCBS provides suicide prevention telephone counselling that includes:

• up to six 50-minute sessions
• professional counsellors with specialist skills in working with suicide-related issues.

Model

Key elements of the national Suicide Call Back Service (SCBS) model are based on the Crisis Support Services SuicideLine (VIC) model. Crisis Support Services is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology as an approved Crisis Intervention Program. The SCBS model has also incorporated feedback from key stakeholders.

Lessons learnt

In order to maintain the highest level of service and to prevent service duplication, SCBS exclusions apply to:

• clients already supported by mental health services
• clients who are under the age of 18

Evaluation information

The SCBS evaluation process has three core components:

• internal and external consultation
• review of caller data statistics and progress
• Pre and post program suicide risk assessments
  
• follow-up customer satisfaction survey.

Umbrella organisation

Crisis Support Services Inc.

Project partners

In addition to a wide range of mental health providers across Australia, the SCBS works with:

• police
• coroners
• social workers
• hospitals.

Resources

Suicide Call Back Service brochures, buisiness cards and posters are available by contacting Crisis Support Services on 03 8371 2800 or emailing enquiries@crisissupport.org.au.

Suicide Call Back Service testimonials:

• ‘We are in a drought-affected area and my wife has attempted suicide a number of times. I am on my own trying to manage the farm with money, health and stock worries. Calling the Suicide Call Back Service means my wife and I now both have some support.’
• ‘The Suicide Call Back Service showed me that someone does care, despite the fact that sometimes it feels like no one else cares.’
• ‘The Northern Territory has few services, so the Suicide Call Back Service makes a big difference.’
  

Contact

Call the SCBS referral line 1300 659 467.