Mount Gambier & District Suicide Prevention Network

Mount Gambier & District Suicide Prevention Network

District Council of Grant Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2014-2016 1

We acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians whose ancestral lands we are upon today. We acknowledge the deep feelings of attachment and relationship of Aboriginal peoples to country. We also pay respect to the cultural authority of Aboriginal people who may visit the District Council of Grant from other areas of South Australia. 2

Mount Gambier Suicide Prevention Network Action Plan 2014-2016 The Mount Gambier and District Suicide Prevention Network (SPN) will work collaboratively with the community of Grant District to tackle suicide, focusing on the four areas of suicide awareness, prevention, intervention and postvention as comprehensively outlined in the Mount Gambier and Districts Suicide Prevention Network s Strategic Plan. The Action Plan (2014 2016) is drawn from this document and is also informed by the South Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy (2012 2016). The SPN acknowledge that many actions and activities in this Action Plan will overlap and will share anticipated outcomes relevant to all four areas. This approach allows for a broad definition of suicide prevention and is inclusive of pre-suicide attempts, suicide crisis as well as the period following a suicide attempt. Worralong Road, Worralong 3

In alignment with the Implementation Guide of the South Australia Suicide Prevention Strategy, the Action Plan will be formally lodged with and continue to be held by the District Council of Grant. The Suicide Prevention Network will report to Council on the progress of the activities and initiatives of the Action Plan. The District Council of Grant has endorsed the establishment of this Action Plan as part of their strategic commitment to community well-being and strong focus on building a healthy, connected community. Council recognises that suicide prevention requires a whole of community approach. Port MacDonnell Beach 4

The definition of suicide in this Action Plan is taken from Living is for Everyone, A Framework for Prevention of Suicide in Australia, Commonwealth of Australia. Mount Shank More than 2000 Australians take their lives every year (2420 in 2010; 2272 in 2011; 2535 in 2012) Figures released ABS March 2013. In the Limestone Coast (population 63,073) the rate of suicide for the period 2002-2012 is 12.7 per 100,000. There has been a slight reduction in 10 years. Current suicide rates in SA are 11.7 per 100,000, rural SA is 11.9 per 100,000, ATSI rates are 26.7 per 100,000 (ABS 2011). These losses have significant impact on families, friends, workplaces and communities. The Network is concerned for the people behind the statistics. One suicide is one too many. People, from all ages and all walks of life suicide and the causes often appear to be a complex mix of adverse life events, situations, social and geographical isolation, cultural and family background, socio-economic disadvantage, genetics, mental and physical health, extent of support and the ability of a person to manage life events and bounce back from adversity. The role of the SPN in developing the Action Plan is taken from the South Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy and the Suicide Safety Networks Evaluation, Phase 2, p.105. Community Suicide Prevention Networks play a key role in coordination, collaboration and resource exchange within a community and may therefore build a community s capacity as 5

a foundation for the development of effective suicide prevention tactics. Suicide Prevention is recognised by the SPN as broad and far reaching. It involves all tiers of government, nongovernment and government emotional & physical healthcare services, schools, police, universities, prisons, workplaces, training organisations, sporting, social and service groups, media, families, neighbourhoods and communities. It is about inclusion, participation, connections, easily accessible information and looking out for one another. It is about recognising the social determinants of well-being, closing gaps and deficiencies and improving the strength and resilience of individuals and communities. In suicide prevention we all have a role to play. Ewen s Ponds 6

Suicide Prevention Network Action Plan 2014-2016 Actions & Activities The Mount Gambier and District Suicide Prevention Network Action Plan is a living document and progress will be measured and evaluated regularly. The actions and activities listed may change and develop over the life of the Action Plan but the central core and driving force of Suicide Prevention will remain intact. 7

Goal 1: Removing the stigma from suicide by increasing awareness, addressing myths, breaking the silence and encouraging openness. 1.1 Raise Community of Suicide Awareness Strengthen membership of SPN to include business, CALD, ATSI, prison, corporate etc. SPN Ongoing with 6 monthly reviews and annual report card to measure achievements SPN develops suite of sequential suicide awareness raising materials and distributes annually using small grants and community involvement SPN uses regular media articles and interviews to expand membership and promote aims, intentions & outcomes of Network SPN develops a public speaking kit on suicide prevention for use by SPN members SPN develops a media strategy and spokesperson stay on message SPN offers public speaking on suicide awareness to service, church, sporting and social groups SPN, beyondblue, Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA), Lifeline Australia, SANE Australia etc. SPN, media SPN 2014/2015 SPN 2014/2015 SPN Ongoing with 6 monthly reviews and annual report card to measure achievements Ongoing with 6 monthly reviews and annual report card to measure achievements 2014 onwards 8

SPN develops linkages with media to support stigma reducing articles such as eliminating stigmatising language SPN, media July 2014 and at 3 monthly intervals. Reviewed annually to measure achievements Lifeline hosts Out of the Shadows Community Breakfast each year close to World Suicide Prevention Day and develops creative promotional strategies for this Suicide Prevention Networks will have a presence at Shows, Field Days and so on across the region SPN facilitates Community Forums using guests such as the Chief Psychiatrist or Chief Policy Officer who can report accurately on what is happening in South Australia Lifeline and SPN build a library of useful suicide awareness raising material and use linkages and networks to target offices, surgeries, vets, TAFE, businesses, training organisations etc. SPN uses individual SPN members, linkages and connections to promote all activities and initiatives Lifeline, SPN, Local Government, media Annually SPN Incorporate into plans for Networks across the South East. 2014 onwards SPN 2014 Lifeline, SPN SPN, Mental Health Network, RoundTable and other Networks Ongoing with 6 monthly reviews and annual report card Ongoing with 6 monthly reviews and annual report card 9

Goal 2: Providing information on Suicide Prevention activities and programs in the community including those that are not always recognised as preventative. 2.1 To broaden and promote community understanding of suicide prevention including risk and resilience factors and pathways to further help Strengthen membership of SPN to include business, CALD, ATSI, prison, corporate etc. SPN promotes close links with SA Suicide Prevention Strategy to maintain accurate knowledge of all suicide related programs, interventions or services in South Australia and will distribute to Networks SPN maintains close links with Suicide Prevention Australia and other suicide research facilities to maintain accurate knowledge of program evaluations, research and development in Australia and will distribute to Networks Annually, SPN will facilitate a Suicide Prevention Training Workshop such as ASIST or similar Distribute Suicide Awareness & Prevention Material to households and businesses SPN SPN, Lifeline CEO, South Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy Chief Policy Officer SPN, Lifeline, SPA, SANE Australia SPN, LivingWorks, Lifeline SPN, Lifeline, Service Clubs, Independent Learning Centre Ongoing with 6 monthly reviews and annual report card Ongoing with 6 monthly reviews and annual report card Ongoing with 6monthly reviews and annual report card Annually 2014 2015-2016 2014 10

SPN to survey existing training needs of professional, community, social, service groups concerned with suicide prevention and develop ways to address these SPN to investigate Kids Helpline Peer Skills Workshops and promote to local schools SPN to develop consistent message on prevention and use all media to distribute stay on message SPN invite media to information sharing strategy meeting using Mind Frame Guidelines SPN 2014 SPN, Education Dept. 2014 SPN, Media 2014 SPN, Media 2014 11

Goal 3: Improving community knowledge of and access to timely suicide risk assessments, support and interventions. 3.1 To establish consistent risk assessment tools, flow charts and protocols between agencies Strengthen membership of SPN to include business, CALD, ATSI, prison, corporate etc. SPN will survey what current screening tools, risk assessments, referral protocols are in use in Mount Gambier and Districts SPN will investigate accessible, affordable training for key people in services, businesses, community, medical, education SPN will investigate developing a flow chart between agencies for cross referrals SPN will investigate support linkages available after attempts Letterbox drop magnets with risk factors and help seeking information SPN Emergency Services, Health Services, Govt. & Non Govt., Education, Police, Hospital, Training facilities 2015 SPN 2015 SPN, ATAPS, GPs, Mind 2015 SPN, Health Services, Hospital, GPs, Suicide Prevention Program (Medicare Local) 2015 Lifeline, SPN, Service Groups 2015 12

SPN will identify groups and social issues where suicide may be an especially high vulnerability and ensure helpful resources are directed toward key people working in these areas. This would include, but not be restricted to, Men, ATSI, Seniors, Apprentices, CALD, Drug & Alcohol issues, Prisoners, Mental Illness, Problem Gamblers, Previous attempts, Bereaved, Homeless, Financially disadvantaged, Socially isolated Work with ATSI community and Aboriginal Mental Health Worker to develop and deliver culturally appropriate suicide prevention information sessions Continue to offer suicide prevention as part of the professional development of staff at Mount Gambier Prison and the training of prisoners in peer support suicide prevention SPN, StandBy, RoundTable, Local Networks SPN, Lifeline, Aboriginal Mental Health Worker Lifeline, G4S 2015 Annually Ongoing 13

Goal 4: To provide postvention support and services for those bereaved by suicide. 4.1 To ensure our community is resourced and supported following an attempted suicide or suicide Strengthen membership of SPN to include business, CALD, ATSI, prison, corporate etc. Access best practice guidelines for Suicide Bereavement Support Groups and promote group availability each year Host Out of the Shadows Community Breakfast each year close to World Suicide Prevention Day and develop sensitive, creative promotional strategies for this that are inclusive of those bereaved by suicide SPN to increase awareness of Reflective Garden for those Bereaved by Suicide SPN Lifeline, SPN Lifeline, SPN, Local Government SPN, City of Mount Gambier Ongoing Annually, close to World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 th Ongoing promotion Build a knowledge library of Suicide Bereavement resources stored with the StandBy service which SPN can distribute links and access to as appropriate Lifeline, SPN, Uniting Communities, StandBy 2014/15 14

Information on the Govt. of SA s Information booklet for people Bereaved by Suicide to be provided to SPN members with links given to police, health, education, funeral directors, churches, training providers, schools etc. so they can access and maintain independently SPN to investigate what support is available for those affected by front line attendance, bystander involvement or clinicians who were part of care SPN, Lifeline 2014/15 SPN, Emergency Services, Health Services 2014 Provision of StandBy Services in Mount Gambier as a first responder of compassionate support Develop partnerships with key leaders of vulnerable groups such as ATSI, CALD to ensure the responsiveness of mainstream services is appropriate Distribute monthly newsletter on suicide bereavement support Ensure prison is always included in any notifications of new resources, links and information about Suicide Bereavement SPN, Lifeline, Uniting Communities, StandBy SPN, Pangula Mannamurna, Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation, Aboriginal Mental Health Worker, ATSI Community, Migrant Resource Centre, CALD Community Lifeline SPN, Lifeline, G4S 2014 2014/15 Ongoing Ongoing 15