Review of suicide-prevention programs in Queensland: state- and community-level activities
Urska Arnautovska A C , Kairi Kolves A , Naoko Ide B and Diego De Leo AA Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Mt Gravatt Campus, Griffith University, 176 Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, Qld 4122, Australia. Email: k.kolves@griffith.edu.au, d.deleo@griffith.edu.au
B Footprints in Brisbane, PO Box 735, New Farm, Qld 4005, Australia. Email: naokoh@footprintsinc.org.au
C Corresponding author. Email: urska.arnautovska@griffithuni.edu.au
Australian Health Review 37(5) 660-665 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH12020
Submitted: 4 December 2012 Accepted: 9 September 2013 Published: 1 November 2013
Journal Compilation © AHHA 2013
Abstract
Objective Information regarding the availability of suicide-prevention programs in Australia is sparse and rather difficult to obtain. This study aimed to report and describe suicide and/or self-harm-prevention programs in Queensland.
Methods Programs were classified by type of intervention, predominant type of program, setting of delivery and targeted population-at-risk.
Results Sixty-six organisations were identified, providing a total of 101 suicide-prevention programs. The majority of programs operated at the prevention or treatment level, with less than half providing continuing (long-term) care. The programs targeted 12 different risk groups and were most frequently delivered within community settings.
Conclusions The findings show a diverse distribution of activities across the levels of prevention and different risk populations. This survey demonstrates the existence of remarkable gaps in coverage and provision of programs for specific high-risk groups.
What is known about the topic? Although suicide prevention in Australia has recently received considerable attention, there is currently no complete list or register of suicide-prevention programs. This reduces the opportunity for people at risk to access help, as well as agencies to link and build on existing models of service.
What does this paper add? This study is unique in identifying and reviewing suicide-prevention programs that are funded by national or state suicide-prevention strategies, as well as those funded by private and community-based organisations. The identified programs are matched with the actual suicide risk of the targeted subpopulations, indicating a lack or overlap of programs for specific populations.
What are the implications for practitioners? This paper is particularly relevant for policy makers as it identifies potential gaps in the provision of suicide-prevention programs for specific at-risk populations in Queensland. The relevance of the paper for practitioners, however, is in encouraging them to re-examine the provision of their services considering the entire continuum of suicide-prevention activities.
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