Suicide prevention

We are implementing a Suicide Prevention Strategy targeting the primary mental health care sector and in particular general practice.

Our GP-centric depression management program approach aims to help improve the care of people with depression and prevent suicidal behaviour.

We remain committed to using the European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD) 4-pillar framework, to inform our approach.  The 4 pillars are designed to be implemented simultaneously, to achieve a greater effect rather than in isolation.

  • Pillar 1: Primary care and mental health care
  • Pillar 2: General awareness campaign
  • Pillar 3: Community stakeholders
  • Pillar 4: At-risk patients, their families and carers

Our approach targets the primary mental health care sector and in particular general practice, to support quality care.

GPs play an integral role in this approach because they are the health professionals accessed most often by those experiencing mental health issues and/or engaging in suicidal behaviour. GPs have  reported that depression and anxiety are two of the most common health issues they manage and depression is highly correlated with suicidal behaviour.

If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call 000.

Training and resources:

Important links:

    Depression starts small

    Whatever you’re feeling, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Help is just a call or a click away. In a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13YARN 13 92 76. In an emergency, call 000 or visit an emergency department.

    Find out more about the campaign and download the supporter toolkit

    Suicide Prevention Strategy

    At the core of our Suicide Prevention Strategy is the implementation of the EAAD systems-based approach, which is primarily a GP depression management program.

    Download

    Activities
    Pillar 1: Support for general practice to enhance care provided to consumers with symptoms of mild to moderate depression

    WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) has established a GP focus group and continues to consult on the most effective and efficient way in building the capacity of GPs to improve the diagnosis and treatment of people with mild to moderate depression. WAPHA has collaborated with Telethon Kids Institute to obtain information specific to GP needs through the WA Aftercare Survey.

    WAPHA has used the feedback to commission activities that are appropriate to the needs and wants of GPs.

    We are now in the process of reaching as GPs as possible across WA implementing these activities, with focus locations receiving additional targeted activities.

    Pillar 2: General Awareness Campaign

    The aim of pillar 2 activities is to reduce personal and public stigma of depression and enhance help seeking behaviour of the consumer.  

    WAPHA is currently investigating mediums for a general awareness campaign, using the 4 key messages of EAAD as its guiding principles. These key messages are: 

    1. Depression has many faces (symptoms).
    2. Depression is a real disorder.
    3. Depression can be treated.
    4. Depression can affect anyone.  

          WAPHA will use these guiding principles to build upon the Inside My Mind general awareness campaign, that was released during the National Suicide Prevention Trials.  

          WAPHA will endeavour to communicate these key messages through the campaign to vulnerable populations using appropriate and relatable language for each group and at-risk population. 

          Pillar 3: Community Capacity Building

          The aim of pillar 3 activities is to provide key community stakeholders with knowledge and basic intervention skills for supporting someone with depression and suicidal behaviour.  In addition, this pillar aims to improve knowledge of the local referral pathways and local health system, to direct people to support and treatment.  

          WAPHA has committed to working with other state and commonwealth funded suicide prevention coordinators to enable their existing community capacity building plans. This will be done through commissioning activities included in these plans or identified gaps in activity that align to pillar 3. These coordinators are (but not limited to): 

          1. Suicide prevention coordinators (MHC funded) 
          2. Community liaison officers (MHC funded) 
          3. Culture Care Connect coordinators (Commonwealth funded) 
          4. StandBy coordinators (Commonwealth funded) 
          Pillar 4: Aftercare & Postvention

          The aim of pillar 4 activities is to support at-risk consumers, families and carers.  

          As of January 2023, the WA Government committed to jointly fund universal aftercare services to support individuals following a suicide attempt and/or suicidal crisis. Arrangements under the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement provide flexibility for WA to develop models of aftercare services to meet the needs of local communities.  

          A best practice aftercare model of service is currently being developed by the WA Mental Health Commission.  

          In WA, postvention services are provided by the StandBy program, that supports anyone who has been bereaved or impacted by suicide at any stage in their life. The StandBy program receives annual funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.   

          Training

          Clinical workshops for GPs in your area

          The GP Management of Patient Depression and Suicidality course, developed by Rural Clinical School of WA general practitioners, in collaboration with Psychiatrist Dr Mat Coleman, is designed to enhance the skills of GP’s in treating depression and suicidality.

          Click to see upcoming dates

          The program is made up of two modalities:

          Part 1: Online Module – (approx. 90mins to complete all modules)

          • Recognition and Assessment of Depression
          • Interventions
          • Suicidality, suicide risk assessment and prevention
          • Groups requiring special consideration
          • GP Wellbeing and supports
          • Practice Resources, Clinical Practice Guidelines & local resources

          Part 2: Face-to-Face Workshop – (approx. 90 mins with a light meal included)
          Collaborative conversations, including sharing of clinical experiences, complex scenario analyses, debriefing and learning from adverse outcomes. Facilitated by a GP and supported by a local psychiatrist.

          Both online module and workshop are CPD accredited.

          Location and dates for each workshop will be displayed when you choose your preference within the registration form. Please note, if you are a rural GP and unable to attend your local workshop, you are welcome to register for a metro workshop. 

          Metropolitan events: 

          Register now

          Online training for health professionals

          Depression management and suicidality education courses delivered by the Black Dog Institute and supported by WA Primary Health Alliance under the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program.

          Talking About Suicide in General Practice

          Register for Talking About Suicide in General Practice, an online workshop that will help increase skills and confidence for GPs in recognising presentations where suicide risk is high, undertaking a detailed risk assessment, and management planning using a collaborative, team-based approach.

          Find out more and register

          Dealing with Depression

          Dealing with Depression is a highly interactive program that aims to provide general practitioners with a practical framework for diagnosing and managing depression. The program uses case based learning to explore key challenges GPs experience when caring for patients with depression.

          Find out more and register

          Dealing with Depression in in Rural Australia

          Depression is a common condition frequently managed in primary care. Identifying and managing depression in a rural context presents a unique set of challenges for health professionals providing mental health care in their communities. Dealing with Depression in Rural Australia is developed specifically to address the needs of clinicians delivering health care for people presenting with depression in a rural setting.

          Find out more and register

          Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention

          This workshop aims to increase health professionals’ skill and confidence in taking a detailed suicide history and developing a collaborative management plan to increase the safety of people planning suicide and reduce the risk of suicide. The workshop provides practical tools for health professionals managing the full spectrum of suicide risk presentations including the acute suicidal crisis, care after a suicide attempt and assisting families experiencing suicide bereavement.

          Find out more and register

          Suicide Prevention Training for Pharmacists:

          Suicide has a devastating impact on families, friends and entire communities. Pharmacists, due to their role and their accessibility in the community, have the potential to play a key role in recognising the signs and symptoms of suicide, restricting means and keeping the person safe until support is available. This Suicide Prevention Training for Pharmacists is an interactive, cased based workshop enabling peer discussion alongside the development of practical skills to implement.

          Find out more and register

          Practice Staff workshops in your area

          Suicide Prevention Training General Practice Staff Workshops delivered by Wesley LifeForce and supported by WA Primary Health Alliance under the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program.

          Click to see upcoming dates

          With a 20-year history of suicide prevention support to the Australian community, Wesley LifeForce offers training that is developed from evidence-based expertise in the Australian community and with input from Australian GP’s, general practice nurses and practice managers. These specialised programs are designed to equip you with leading methodologies and strategies in suicide prevention.

          Based on the success of the workshops in focus locations the WAPHA team are looking to expand  the training. Watch this space for future updates

          Resource Kit

          Primary care depression management and suicide prevention resources

          Within this resource kit you will find a selection of accredited courses, activities and training for primary care providers and their teams.

          It also provides access to courses for all community members to gain intervention skills to recognise, respond and refer someone with depression and prevent suicidal behaviour. These can be shared far and wide, with family, carers and friends, in a waiting room or with local service providers or networks.

          This kit will be regularly updated with new activities. If you have any activity suggestions or would like further information, please contact your local WAPHA suicide prevention lead.

          Training for health professionals
          Training for primary care support staff
          Training for everyone
          • Recognise and respond – 1-hour online training in Suicide prevention from the Black Dog Institute.
            In partnership with BDI  WAPHA  can provide fully funded access to this short course designed for the general population, workers or members of the public who are likely to encounter individuals at risk and may be influential in their decision to access care. Click here for more information and here to gain access to an enrolment key and sign up.
          • Local suicide prevention courses:
            There are WA Mental health Commission Suicide Prevention Coordinators across Western Australia – they provide a variety of funded accredited courses suitable for the region. These courses can include Mental Health first Aid , ASIST, Gatekeeper etc free of charge.  Find out who to contact in your region and what training, events and activities are going on!
          Clinic management resources
          • Practice Assist Fact sheet – Assisting patients in general practice with mental health concerns
            Informative fact sheet to help general practice teams consider how their practice’s access to care, systems, policies, procedures, training and education can assist patients with mental health concerns.
          • Quick Access Phone numbers
            Three essential helplines for GPs on a computer screen sized sticker, available at all events contact us if you would like some for your practice

          Primary care referral and clinical support resources
          • Head to Health Assessment and Referral Phone Service – 1800 595 212
            This state-wide phone service offers free confidential assessment and referral for anyone seeking help for their mental and emotional wellbeing and/or wanting to support a patient, or someone they care about.
          • Head to Health Digital Platform – headtohealth.gov.au
            The Head to Health website includes over 750 evidence based digital mental health resources, apps and online programs for the community to access.  This includes dedicated online forums, peer support services, chat and email services.
          • Clinician Assist 
            Delivered by WA Primary Health Alliance and in collaboration with WA Department of Health, this secure website provides GPs and other health professionals with guidance for assessing, managing and referring patients across Western Australia at no cost.
          • GP psychiatry line
            National and Free – By calling 1800 16 17 18, GPs are connected directly with psychiatrists who can offer their expert advice regarding the mental health needs of your patients.
          Peer to peer professional support and self-care

          If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14  or 13YARN 13 92 76. In an emergency, call 000.

          This activity has been made possible through funding provided by the Australian Government under the PHN Program.

          Disclaimer

          While the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has contributed to the funding of this website, the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.