More than 1500 community members have been formally trained to identify and respond to a person at risk of suicide in one of many outcomes during a five-year place-based suicide prevention trial.
Key suicide prevention stakeholders recently came together to recognise the outcomes of the trials across Latrobe, Bass Coast and South Gippsland.
While the trials officially ended on 30 June, Gippsland Primary Health Network (Gippsland PHN) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Amanda Proposch, said the sustainability of the work at a grassroots level would see training, education and support into suicide prevention continue.
“People with lived experience of suicide, as well as local health professionals and communities were consulted prior to the delivery of place-based activities during the five-year trials,” she explained.
“Their involvement from the outset was crucial to the success of the trials. We now have an upskilled mental health workforce and trained community members. In addition, we have improved, relevant resources that can support suicide prevention in Gippsland.”
Read the full media release here Media release – Suicide Prevention Trials complete
Gippsland PHN Project Coordinator Suicide Prevention, Brooke Carlesso and Project Coordinator Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Reform, Helen Page, who have played key roles in the five-year place-based suicide prevention trial. They were presented with flowers at the stakeholder event to mark the completion of the project.
