Targeted Regional Initiatives for Suicide Prevention

About the initiative

The program provided $63.3 million from 2022-23 to 2024-25 financial years for all Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to: 

• support regional and community-based suicide prevention interventions
• address gaps in their local suicide prevention systems
• build on the success of the previous National Suicide Prevention Trial
• establish Suicide Prevention Regional Response Leaders or Coordinators.

This funding also allowed for data analytics and research using Suicide and Self Harm Monitoring System data. 

Why this was important

Suicide is a complex issue that affects every community in different ways. Causes vary, and so do the resources and services each community needs. 

A ‘systems approach’ to suicide prevention:

• recognises that suicide prevention requires a range of approaches to improve services 
• integrates and involves healthcare and community professionals
• uses multiple evidence-based strategies simultaneously within a localised population.

Goals

The program aimed to:

• reduce the incidence and impact of suicidality
• work alongside communities and people with lived experience to create activities that meet the needs of priority population groups and communities
• facilitate inclusive governance structures with community members and people with lived experience
• strengthen regional planning and address gaps in services 
• build the community’s ability to prevent and respond to suicidal distress.

Meeting our goals

We funded KPMG to evaluate the program. They examined all 31 PHNs to ensure their suicide prevention approaches are: 

• evidence-based
• systems-oriented
• community-led.

Across each PHN, they considered the:

• scope and effectiveness of the Response Coordinator role 
• impact of activity funding 
• scope of program data collection.

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