Suicide prevention
Suicide affects individuals, families and communities in Tasmania and across Australia.
Primary Health Tasmania is working with communities and service providers to reduce the incidence and impact of suicide.
Suicide affects individuals, families and communities in Tasmania and across Australia.
Primary Health Tasmania is working with communities and service providers to reduce the incidence and impact of suicide.
Tasmania is one of 12 sites around the country taking part in an Australian Government-funded trial, which aims to test how a community-led approaches can help reduce the rate of suicide attempts and deaths.
The three Tasmanian trial sites are:
Activity in each trial site is coordinated by a local organisation which works closely with community members and service providers: St Helens Neighbourhood House in the Break O’Day municipality, Launceston City Council in Launceston’s northern suburbs and Relationships Australia in the north west.
Each trial site is using the Black Dog Institute’s LifeSpan approach to suicide prevention – a model that combines nine evidence-based strategies to develop a “safety net” for vulnerable people in a community.
The Australian Government has provided $3 million for the Tasmanian component of the trial, which focuses on men aged 40-64, as well as men and women over the age of 65.
On 30 January 2020, the Australian Government announced a 12-month extension to the National Suicide Prevention Trial. The extended trial (July 2020 to the end of June 2021), will focus on transitioning and sustaining existing suicide prevention activity.
This comes at a time when many people may be experiencing feelings of anxiety, distress and concern in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (read our information for community members about the COVID-19 response here) which can affect both our physical and mental health. It is important to maintain positive mental health by staying connected and engaged with people and activities that are meaningful.
Head to Health, an Australian Government initiative, has put together a dedicated COVID-19 support webpage that covers where to get the facts about the COVID-19 outbreak, tips for maintaining good mental health, information on how to access mental health services, information for parents, and how to keep older Australians safe and connected by helping them get established online.
As part of the Australian Government’s National Suicide Prevention Trial, Primary Health Tasmania has purchased licences for QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gatekeeper Training through the Black Dog Institute.
QPR is an online education program that aims to teach people the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond following three steps: Question, Persuade and Refer.
Click here to find out how you can access the free training.
Primary Health Tasmania also supports other local initiatives designed to reduce suicide, as part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
This includes working with local organisations to provide early intervention programs for people in remote and rural parts of the state, as well as those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
We also target workers by supporting workplace training in mental health and wellbeing awareness, resilience skilling and capacity building across different industries.
Find out more about our commissioned services by exploring Our Services Portal.
Primary Health Tasmania does not offer health services, crisis, or emergency support.
Your regular general practitioner/doctors surgery should always be your first point of call if you need medical or mental health care
In an emergency, call Triple 000 for Ambulance, Fire or Police
For health advice on health services open at night, public holidays and weekends, visit the Tas After Hours website.
The following helplines are also available for urgent assistance: