SUICIDE PREVENTION
Suicide postvention is a crucial aspect of suicide prevention, given research suggesting that suicide bereavement may increase the risk of suicidality. StandBy Support After Suicide (StandBy), a Youturn program, is Australia’s leading provider of post-suicide support, offering free face-to-face and telephone services for those bereaved or impacted by suicide. This includes individuals, families, friends, witnesses, first responders, and service providers. Since its establishment in 2002, StandBy has grown into a trusted national program, providing a coordinated community response to suicide, and becoming a key provider of suicide postvention across Australia.
StandBy offers free phone support available to individuals 7 days a week between 6am-10pm. Calls received after 10pm are directed to the Suicide Callback Service. In addition to direct support, we also deliver locally tailored community workshops and education programs, raising awareness about suicide and suicide bereavement. These initiatives empower communities to better support one another in times of need.
Highlights
In October 2023, the StandBy program officially launched its enhanced services including the Suicide Bereavement Counselling Service (SBCS), and peer support in four states and territories (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the Northern Territory).
The SBCS is a service delivered via telehealth or phone and is supported by a team of experienced counsellors and group facilitators with specialisation in suicide bereavement.
Peer support within StandBy links the individual needing support with a Lived Experience Peer Worker (Peer Worker) who has also experienced a significant loss of someone to suicide. Peer Workers use their own experiences of suicide loss and grief to help others bereaved and impacted by suicide. Connection to peer support is available via local StandBy teams. These enhancements mark a pivotal expansion in our service delivery, as they significantly broaden our capacity to holistically support those bereaved or impacted by suicide across Australia.
Other achievements
- StandBy MOU with WA Police: In July 2023, StandBy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Western Australia Police Force, enabling the sharing of information on suspected suicides and referrals for those impacted. This led to a 152% increase in individuals supported in WA, ensuring more people are supported and connected to the services they need.
- National Suicide Prevention Conference: Jo Langford, StandBy National’s Community Strengthening and Lived Experience Manager, proudly delivered the Acknowledgement of Lived Experience at the National Suicide Prevention Conference in Adelaide, addressing over 700 delegates.
- New StandBy NT Office: In March 2024, StandBy opened an office in Darwin, providing a dedicated space for support sessions and community meetings.
- Partnership with AMSANT: StandBy partnered with the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) to develop a culturally safe postvention support model for Aboriginal Communities impacted by suicide. The partnership will be evaluated over the next 12 months by The Batchelor Institute, ensuring support is tailored to the needs of Aboriginal people.
- Increase in 1300 727 247 calls: Calls to the 1300 number increased 3% due to effective demand management, an increase in website enquiries, and improved active postvention support.
Challenges
- Increased demand for postvention services: Limitations in resources, growing workloads, and the complexity of service delivery remain ongoing challenges.
- Understanding supply and demand: StandBy is conducting a project to better assess current and future demand, aiming to strengthen understanding of suicide postvention needs and ensure effective service delivery across Australia.
Future focus
- Commissioning and team development: Enhance contract management processes and invest in professional development to support high-quality care and team collaboration.
- Extend services to priority populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQ+, and culturally and linguistically diverse and rural communities.
- Lived experience and advocacy: Increase involvement of individuals with lived experience in decision-making and advocate for systemic changes to improve suicide prevention and postvention services.
- Universal access: Advocate for funding to ensure comprehensive post-suicide support is available nationwide.
Funders
StandBy – An initiative of Youturn jointly funded by the Australian Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victorian, Queensland and Northern Territory Governments.
StandBy Partner Organisations
CASE STUDY
Grief journey
The StandBy team supported an individual grieving the loss of their son. Initially unsure about participating in face-to-face sessions, they explored other support options but struggled to find the right fit. After a follow-up call with StandBy, the individual expressed that StandBy had been the most helpful service they’d encountered and agreed to a face-to-face session. They also expressed interest in ongoing peer support, and the StandBy team facilitated a connection to a local Lifeline suicide bereavement group, ensuring a warm and detailed introduction.
The individual was also connected with the StandBy Suicide Bereavement Counselling Service for support. StandBy extended support to family members, including providing information for a family member in Queensland. As a result, the individual and their family now have a cohesive support network, helping them navigate their grief journey.
My support (Peer workers) were nothing but compassionate and understanding.
I did not realise how much they could help me process my emotions and unpack the reactions. However, now I would highly recommend them to anyone who has gone through the loss of a loved one through suicide.
CASE STUDY
A young person tragically died by suicide in a remote community three hours outside of Alice Springs. With minimal initial information, the StandBy team reached out to NTG Health and the local clinic to understand the family’s support needs. The community, with approximately 600 residents, holds strong cultural traditions, and the family requested culturally sensitive, face-to-face support. This included separate sessions for male and female family members, which required the collaboration of StandBy NT and a male staff member from StandBy SA to ensure a culturally respectful approach.
Upon arrival, the StandBy team was briefed by the clinic and invited to the family’s “Sorry camp,” where cultural rituals were still underway. The team provided immediate support to the grieving family, while also educating the clinic’s medical staff on postvention services. The situation was complex, as the father of the deceased was not from the community, and the family was living in tents until the home could be cleansed by a cultural healer. StandBy referred the family to an Aboriginal Controlled Organisation in Alice Springs for further support and agreed to return to deliver a postvention workshop. Despite challenges in service delivery due to the remoteness, StandBy remains dedicated to supporting the family, who continue to await counselling services, highlighting the significant gaps in mental health and postvention support in remote communities.
THOSE WHO SUPPORT US
