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Improving general practice capacity for working with people at risk and vulnerable to suicide (Great South Coast and Ballarat)

Consultation has concluded

General practice is often the first point of contact for people experiencing mental health challenges. General Practitioners play an important role in preventing, detecting, diagnosing and treating mental illness, and in coordinating care from other providers.

While many people that are distressed do not use mental health services, they often visit primary care providers in the weeks or days before an attempt to harm themselves. General Practitioners and other primary care team members are well placed to identify and provide early and ongoing assistance to people who are vulnerable and at risk of suicide.

Evidence suggests that capacity building and education for general practice is one of the most effective interventions for reducing suicide (lowering suicidal ideation, self-harm, and death). However, this does not reflect an understanding about the needs of local General Practitioners, their confidence and challenges of working alongside a person at an increased risk of suicide.

What’s happening in Ballarat and Great South Coast?

The Ballarat and Great South Coast Place Based Suicide Prevention Trials have prioritised improving support for general practice as one if its action areas. This project is investigating the confidence and capacity of general practice to work alongside a person at an increased risk of suicide to determine what is working well and what could be improved. We want to hear from:

  • People with lived experience of suicide or suicidal thoughts including families/carers
  • General Practitioners and general practice staff
  • Other stakeholders and service providers who are part of the care continuum

We are conducting conversations to hear your thoughts. Contact methods can be flexible within the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure optimal safety and quality in the collation of this information.

The project is initiated as part of the Ballarat and Great South Coast Place Based Suicide Prevention Trials, being facilitated by WVPHN and consultation is being delivered by Larter Consulting.

General practice is often the first point of contact for people experiencing mental health challenges. General Practitioners play an important role in preventing, detecting, diagnosing and treating mental illness, and in coordinating care from other providers.

While many people that are distressed do not use mental health services, they often visit primary care providers in the weeks or days before an attempt to harm themselves. General Practitioners and other primary care team members are well placed to identify and provide early and ongoing assistance to people who are vulnerable and at risk of suicide.

Evidence suggests that capacity building and education for general practice is one of the most effective interventions for reducing suicide (lowering suicidal ideation, self-harm, and death). However, this does not reflect an understanding about the needs of local General Practitioners, their confidence and challenges of working alongside a person at an increased risk of suicide.

What’s happening in Ballarat and Great South Coast?

The Ballarat and Great South Coast Place Based Suicide Prevention Trials have prioritised improving support for general practice as one if its action areas. This project is investigating the confidence and capacity of general practice to work alongside a person at an increased risk of suicide to determine what is working well and what could be improved. We want to hear from:

  • People with lived experience of suicide or suicidal thoughts including families/carers
  • General Practitioners and general practice staff
  • Other stakeholders and service providers who are part of the care continuum

We are conducting conversations to hear your thoughts. Contact methods can be flexible within the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure optimal safety and quality in the collation of this information.

The project is initiated as part of the Ballarat and Great South Coast Place Based Suicide Prevention Trials, being facilitated by WVPHN and consultation is being delivered by Larter Consulting.