Black Dog Institute launches Australia’s first Suicide Prevention Network
23 June 2021 at 8:36 am
“The Suicide Prevention Network will be the go-to place for suicide prevention workforces to ask questions and tap into a broader network of professionals”
The Black Dog Institute has launched Australia’s first Suicide Prevention Network (SPN) as a portal to connect those working in suicide prevention.
The vision is to connect suicide prevention professionals in primary health networks (PHNs) and local health districts (LHDs) who have historically been isolated in their work.
The SPN operates as a member-only digital platform and provides access to events, monthly thought-leadership articles, expert-led moderated online discussion forums, and a library of evidence-based how-to guides, resources and up-to-date research.
The Black Dog Institute says that because suicide is a complex matter with no one-size-fits-all approach to preventing it, it hopes the SPN will become one part of a broader network of experiences and knowledge.
Associate Professor Fiona Shand, head of suicide prevention research at the Black Dog Institute, said there’s no other platform in Australia like this right now.
“The Suicide Prevention Network will be the go-to place for suicide prevention workforces to ask questions and tap into a broader network of professionals, so their life-saving efforts achieve maximum impact,” Shand said.
“Rather than operating in silos or without a broader support system, the Suicide Prevention Network gives people the opportunity to share knowledge and make long-term connections to take advantage of the incredible work being done in suicide prevention across the country.”
May’s federal budget saw $12 million pledged to the former National Suicide Prevention Trials (NSPTs) to continue the delivery of local suicide prevention initiatives in 12 Australian regions with high rates of suicide.
It’s hoped that the SPN will be of benefit to these 12 PNHs as they continue to build on the work they’re already doing in their communities.
Shand said suicide prevention efforts needed to be locally led and data-informed in order to achieve maximum impact.
“The complexities of suicide cannot be overstated, and what works in one region may not work everywhere else,” Shand said.
“These tailored data insights will help suicide prevention workers make informed decisions based on evidence while giving them the hands-on resource support to implement these in a targeted way.”
You can find out more about the SPN, and join here.
