The concept of universal aftercare expands the pathways to suicide aftercare support beyond hospital settings. It involves connecting people with aftercare services across various settings where people may present with suicidal distress.
The Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy also highlights the need to increase the availability, accessibility and quality of aftercare services in Tasmania for people following a suicide attempt or for people who are experiencing a suicidal crisis.
Working towards universal aftercare
In 2024, Primary Health Tasmania commissioned Jane Austin Consulting (in partnership with Everymind) to undertake the Defining Universal Aftercare in Tasmania Project.
This project involved consultation with various service providers; community members with lived and living experience of suicide; families, friends, carers and support people of those with a lived and living experience; and other key informants. It aimed to comprehensively understand the most practical and beneficial approach to defining and delivering universal aftercare in Tasmania.
A key output was a definition of universal aftercare in Tasmania. See below for the definition supported by the consultation process.
Primary Health Tasmania has prepared a report summarising the main findings from the consultation. This summary report is being made available in order to share findings with the community, including those people who volunteered their time to participate in the consultation, and to help increase shared understanding across the sector of the challenges and opportunities associated with the provision of aftercare services in Tasmania, as identified through the consultation.
“Universal aftercare in Tasmania is defined as proactive and coordinated services and supports provided to people following a suicidal crisis or suicide attempt, with broad referral pathways within and outside of the health and hospital system and integrated support for family, friends and caregivers.”
Commissioned aftercare service
Primary Health Tasmania has commissioned Anglicare, with Australian Government funding, to deliver universal aftercare services throughout Tasmania.
The service provides evidence-based, trauma-informed psychosocial support with intensive follow-up for people aged 16 years or older who have attempted suicide or are experiencing a suicidal crisis.
Currently called The Way Back Support Service, this service will be refined in line with findings from the Defining Universal Aftercare in Tasmania Project.
Click here for more information about this service.
