Suicide Prevention Resources and Links

Suicide Prevention is a key focus for Lifeline in Australia. We receive a lot of requests and inquiries about relevant resources and links which can assist with understanding suicide prevention or helping someone at risk.

For immediate help call Lifeline’s 24 hour telephone counselling line on 13 11 14.

In case of emergency or when life is in danger call 000.

Useful links

Here at Lifeline Australia we receive a number of enquiries about the topic of suicide and suicide prevention. To assist in your enquiry we have compiled a list of potentially valuable contacts, links and resources which may shed some light on this complex topic.

 

1. SUICIDE STATISTICS

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

http://www.abs.gov.au
Summary of statistics on deaths registered in Australia where the underlying cause of death was determined to be suicide. These statistics are compiled from data made available to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in each State or Territory.

• ABS - Causes of Death, Australia 2006
• Table of Content for ABS Causes of Death information
• or go directly to the suicide related information
• An Excel spreadsheet with figures is also available

World Health Organization, Suicide Prevention

http://www.who.int/health_topics/suicide/en/
Links to a range of statistical information such as suicide rates and absolute numbers of suicide by country, global charts, and also to SUPRE (the WHO's Suicide Prevention initiative focussing on the prevention of suicide). It addresses questions related to aspects of suicide and its prevention. Contributors to this site include health professionals, social agencies, educators, law enforcers, families and communities.

2.SUICIDE PREVENTION SPECIFIC WEBSITES:

Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP)

http://www.gu.edu.au/school/psy/aisrap/
The aim of the Institute is to promote, conduct, and support comprehensive inter-sectoral programs of research activities for the prevention of suicidal behaviours in Australia. Includes information for young people and families about how to take appropriate action in the case of a person expressing suicidal thoughts and/or actions.

Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention (WA)

http://www.mcsp.org.au
The MCSP is a Western Australian Government funded body with the responsibility for strategy development and coordination to reduce the incidence of suicide and self harming behaviours. The Council has representation from key government and non-government departments and community organisations.

Suicide Prevention Australia

http://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/
Suicide Prevention Australia is a non-profit, non-government organisation working as a public health advocate in suicide prevention. SPA is the only national umbrella body active in suicide prevention throughout Australia, promoting community awareness, advocacy
collaboration and partnerships between communities, practitioners, research and industry; information access and sharing and local, regional and national forums, conferences and events.

Suicide Helpline Victoria

http://www.suicidehelpline.org.au/
Confidential telephone counselling, support and referral available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout Victoria for the cost of a local call. Website has useful information and tips.

3. GOVERNMENT WEBSITES

Living Is For Everyone (LIFE Website)

http://www.livingisforeveryone.com.au/

The LIFE website has been developed to facilitat networks for information exchange and learning under the Australian Government National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS). On the LIFE site you will find:

• Access to online and print-based resources
• Australian statistics
• National and state/territory government policies
• Information about Australia's National Advisory Council for Suicide Prevention
• Information about suicide prevention projects in all states and territories funded through the National Suicide Prevention Strategy
• Resources related to the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Links to related sites and conferences

Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health (Auseinet)

http://www.auseinet.com/
The Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health (Auseinet) works with governments and organisations across many sectors to support change in Australia's mental health policy and practice. They develop, collect and disseminate information on: Promotion of mental health; Prevention of mental disorder; Early Intervention in mental illness (PPEI); and Suicide Prevention.

National Suicide Prevention Strategy (Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing)

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-suicide
The National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) focuses on people of all age groups and those identified as being at risk of suicide in the community. The LIFE Framework aims to foster strategic partnerships and to position suicide prevention effort across all sectors. The LIFE Framework consists of three companion documents. Download from this site.

Suicide Prevention - Education Queensland

http://www.learningplace.com.au/default_community.asp?orgid=19&suborgid=361
This site has been established to assist Education Queensland personnel to access appropriate information concerning suicide, suicidal ideation and self harm with intent to suicide of young people". Contains a useful collection of general information and links.

HealthInsite

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/
HealthInsite is a Commonwealth Government of Australia initiative. Through this site you will find a wide range of up-to-date and quality assessed information on important health topics such as diabetes, cancer, mental health and asthma.

Suicide: We can all make a difference

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/health-public-affairs/publications/suicide/
Whole of Government Approach for NSW to Suicide Prevention

4. INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES

American Association of Suicidology (USA)

http://www.suicidology.org/
Information about suicide research, treatment, prevention, survivors, resources.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (USA)

http://www.afsp.org/
(AFSP) is a US based organization dedicated to advancing our knowledge of suicide and our ability to prevent it.

Befrienders International (UK based)

http://www.befrienders.org
Provides information about Befrienders network and access to worldwide resources and crisis support on 24 hour basis. Direct links to Australian telephone services.

International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)

http://www.med.uio.no/iasp/
The International Association for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to preventing suicidal behaviour, to alleviate its effects, and to provide a forum for academics, mental health professionals, crisis workers, volunteers and suicide survivors.

NZ Ministry of Health, Suicide Prevention

http://www.moh.govt.nz/suicideprevention
This section of the NZ Ministry of Health's website covers information about the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy and suicide prevention in general. Contains a range of very useful info about strategies, research, activities and resources. The NZ Suicide Prevention Strategy - 2006 - 2016 was recently released.

Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand (SPINZ) (NZ)

http://www.spinz.org.nz
SPINZ is a national suicide prevention information service which aims to assist communities and services to prevent suicide by providing them with best practice information. Core functions are gathering, managing and disseminating information and providing general advice to communities on suicide prevention.

Suicide Prevention Resource Centre (USA)

http://www.sprc.org/
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) provides prevention support, training, and resources to assist organizations and individuals to develop suicide prevention programs, interventions and policies, and to advance the US National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA)

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
This is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in the USA experiencing a suicidal crisis. The website has some useful resources relating to suicide prevention.

University of Oxford - Centre for Suicide Research (UK)

http://www.psychiatry.ox.ac.uk/csr/index.html
The Centre is based in the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry. The overall research program of the Centre is focused on investigation of the causes, treatment and prevention of suicidal behaviour. The site contains some useful links and resources.

SPAN USA (Suicide Prevention Action Network (USA)

http://www.spanusa.org/
SPAN USA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing suicide through public education and awareness, community action and federal, state and local grassroots advocacy. Their goal is to create a way for survivors of suicide - those who have lost someone to suicide - to transform their grief into positive action to prevent future tragedies.

Suicide Awareness/ Voices of Education: SAVE (USA)

http://www.save.org/
SAVE's Mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, eliminate stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide.

Suicide Information & Education Centre : SIEC (Canada)

http://www.suicideinfo.ca/
A comprehensive resource centre and database on suicidal behaviour. Access to information/resource centre catalogue as well as some free, downloadable resources. SIEC Alert is a quarterly quick reference guide to some of the newest resources in the field of suicide prevention http://www.suicideinfo.ca/csp/go.aspx?tabid=23

5. DEPRESSION AND MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION

BeyondBlue

http://www.beyondblue.org.au
beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia.

Black Dog Institute

http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
Information about depression and Bipolar Disorder, their causes, treatments, and a question and answers section.

Blue Pages

http://bluepages.anu.edu.au
A website which provides information about depression for consumers.

DepressioNet

http://www.depressionet.com.au
A comprehensive online resource for Australians living with depression and their families and friends.

MoodGYM

http://moodgym.anu.edu.au
A website site run by the Australian National University offering free cognitive behavioral therapy for preventing depression.

Mental Health Council of Australia

http://www.mhca.org.au/
MHCA is the peak, national non-government organisation representing and promoting the interests of the Australian mental health sector, committed to achieving better mental health for all Australians.

SANE

http://www.sane.org
Contains a wide range of information, factsheets and booklets on mental health/illness and suicide prevention. SANE also run a number of advocacy and awareness campaigns, including Stigma Watch, a web-based program promoting accurate and balanced depictions of mental illness and suicide. SANE helpline: 1800 18 SANE (7263) (9-5 weekdays) or email helpline@sane.org for information and advice about mental illness and related topics.

State Mental Health Associations

http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/
The NSW Mental Health Association site provides links to all other state mental health associations

6. TRAINING IN SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH

LivingWorks Education (auspiced by Lifeline Australia)

http://www.livingworks.org.au/
LivingWorks provides learning programs throughout Australia that help caregivers play a role in preventing suicide. Founded in Canada in the early 1980s, LivingWorks programs have since become established in many countries. Over 400,000 people worldwide (27,500 in Australia) have now attended the LivingWorks flagship 2-day suicide intervention workshop ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). Many Lifeline Centres include LivingWorks programs in the training they provide to their own volunteers and the wider community.

e-Suicide Prevention Skills Training (e-SPST)

http://www.suicidepreventiontraining.com/
Australia's only site dedicated to online delivery of a flexible learning course in suicide prevention and mental health. This online training program in suicide prevention and mental health is delivered within an interactive model of adult learning. e-SPST introduces participants to the theory, research and current practices in the area of suicide prevention, with a particular focus on mental health issues and cultural diversity.

CommunityMindEd: Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Resource Kit for VET

http://www.projects.eu.rmit.edu.au/mh/
This site consists of a complete downloadable resource for VET teachers of community services. It covers mental health and wellbeing, suicide prevention, the strategies underpinning these subjects, and approaches to intervention.

Gatekeeper suicide prevention training

http://www.mcsp.org.au
The Gatekeeper training provides participants in WA & Tasmania with a range of skills and knowledge that aims to improve their ability and confidence to work with suicidal people. Primarily, participants learn how to identify and respond to people who are at risk of suicide.

LifeForce: Suicide awareness

http://www.wesleymission.org.au/centres/lifeforce/
Wesley Mission's suicide prevention program in NSW aiming to educate, empower and resource communities to be aware of the issue of suicide, to recognise the signals of suicide, to effectively intervene and minimise the danger, and to be sufficiently resourced to refer on to appropriate, qualified help.

Mental Health First Aid

http://www.mhfa.com.au/
A 12-hour training course in Mental Health First Aid designed to provide help to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. Courses are conducted throughout Australia (and also internationally). The course is auspiced by ORYGEN Research Centre.

QPR Institute (USA)

http://www.qprinstitute.com
The QPR Institute is a multidisciplinary training organization whose primary goal is to provide suicide prevention educational services and materials to professionals and the general public.

To help save lives, the best-selling book "Suicide the Forever Decision, For those Thinking about Suicide and for Those who Know, Love and Counsel Them", by Paul Quinnett, Ph.D. is made available in a free electronic format to anyone in the world who wishes to read it or share it with others http://www.qprinstitute.com/Foreverweb.htm

Response Ability: Resources for tertiary education

http://www.responseability.org
Aims to support the tertiary education of selected professionals (in the fields of teaching and journalism), in mental health promotion and suicide prevention, or in raising awareness about these issues. Links to the Media and Mental Health Sector Project (MMHSP) which is part of the National Mindframe Media Initiative.

7. SELF-HARM RESOURCES:

RANZCP Self-harm treatment guide for consumers and carers

http://www.ranzcp.org/pdffiles/cpgs/Self-Harm.pdf
Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists self harm treatment guide for consumers and carers.

The truth about self-harm...for young people and their friends and families

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/page.cfm?pageurl=truth_about_self_harm.cfm
UK Mental Health Foundation. This booklet is for anyone who wants to understand self-harm among young people - why it happens, how to deal with it, and how to recover from what can be become a very destructive cycle.

National Inquiry into Self-harm among Young People (UK)

http://www.selfharmuk.org/
The 'National Inquiry into Self-harm among Young People' conducted a thorough, and much needed, investigation into self-harming behaviour and the resources / information that are currently available, it's prevalence, its causes, etc.2004-2005.

Royal College of Psychiatrists

' Deliberate self-harm in young people' factsheet

Young people and self harm

http://www.selfharm.org.uk
This UK site is a key information resource for young people who self-harm, their friends, families, and professionals working with them.

UK Samaritans

http://www.samaritans.org.uk/know/information/selfharm/aboutselfharm.shtm
Self harm information and sources of support.

Self Harm - An information booklet for young people who self harm & those who care for them

http://www.mindnet.org.nz/pdfs/self-harm-booklet-jul-06.pdf
Self harm resource developed in Queensland with consumer input.

8. SUICIDE BEREAVEMENT (POSTVENTION)

Information & Support Pack for those bereaved by suicide or other sudden death

URLs for the packs produced for the following states:
http://www.livingisforeveryone.com.au/files/clife/Kit_ACT.pdf
http://www.livingisforeveryone.com.au/files/clife/Kit_NT.pdf
http://www.livingisforeveryone.com.au/files/clife/Kit_QLD.pdf
http://www.livingisforeveryone.com.au/files/clife/Kit_VIC.pdf
http://www.livingisforeveryone.com.au/files/clife/Kit_SA.pdf
http://www.livingisforeveryone.com.au/files/clife/Kit_WA.pdf

Care and support pack for families and friends bereaved by suicide (NSW)

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/health-public-affairs/publications/suicide/

Supporting children after suicide . . . information for parents and other caregivers

Supporting_Children_After_Suicide (pdf)

Help is at Hand: a resource for people bereaved by suicide and other sudden, traumatic death

http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/13/90/07/04139007.pdf
This UK guide is aimed at the wide range of people who are affected by suicide or other sudden, traumatic death. It aims firstly to help people who are unexpectedly bereaved in this way. It also provides information for healthcare and other professionals who come into contact with bereaved people, to assist them in providing help and to suggest how they themselves may find support if they need it.

AAS - Survivors

http://www.suicidology.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=6

American Association of Suicidology website has lots of great suicide bereavement resources including:

The SOS Handbook is designed to be a pocket-sized, quick-reference booklet for suicide survivors. Written by fellow survivor Jeffrey Jackson, it is brief, clear, and packed with essential information covering nearly every aspect of the survivor ordeal -- from the emotional roller-coaster, to the elusive quest for "Why?", to how to locate support groups.

Surviving Suicide - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

AFSP reaches out to survivors of suicide with two goals in mind: To offer the support that is so vital, particularly to the newly bereaved; and to provide opportunities for survivors to get involved, through a wide variety of educational, outreach, awareness, advocacy and fundraising programs.

SPAN USA

http://www.spanusa.org/
The Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN USA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing suicide through public education and awareness, community action and federal, state and local grassroots advocacy. Their goal was to create a way for survivors of suicide - those who have lost someone to suicide - to transform their grief into positive action to prevent future tragedies.

MTAA Readthesigns survivors of suicide page

http://www.readthesigns.com.au
This website has been developed for MTAA Superannuation members but available to anyone as a resource. The purpose of providing this information is to help individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide. The Survivors of Suicide booklet is particularly useful.

9. RESOURCES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Ybblue

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/ybblue/
Ybblue is a youth program of beyondblue: the national depression initiative. Ybblue's all about getting the message out there that it's okay to talk about depression, and to encourage young people and their family and friends to get help when it's needed.

Headroom, Mental Health for Young People (South Australia)

http://www.headroom.net.au
Section for 12-18 yr olds. General definition of mental health (as opposed to illness) with a drop down list of factsheet subjects including: peer pressure, exams, relationships, families, stress...and many more.

Kidshelpline

http://www.kidshelpline.com.au
Kids Help Line is a national counselling service for young people aged 5 to 18 years. It is free, anonymous and confidential.

As well as telephone and on-line counselling for kids in need it also has reports, newsletters and media and statistics for each state. Ph: 1800 55 1800

MindMatters

http://cms.curriculum.edu.au/mindmatters/
MindMatters is a resource to support Australian secondary schools in promoting and protecting the mental health of members of school communities. Each state and territory has a dedicated web page and publishes a schedule of free professional development activities.

ReachOut

http://reachout.com.au/
Reach Out! Website builds skills and provides information, support and referrals to help improve young people's mental health and wellbeing.

Young Adult Health (S.A.)

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=240&np=298&id=2061
S.A. government website for young people on a range of health issues. Useful resources relating to suicide, self-harm, depression and mental health.

Youth Suicide Prevention Kit (W.A.)

http://www.mcsp.org.au/resources/docs/youth_suicide_information_kit.pdf
The kit contains information on statistics, understanding suicide, myths of suicide, risk factors, what are the warning signs, how can you help and useful contact numbers and websites (WA).

10. RURAL RELATED WEBSITES:

ACROSSNET (Australians Creating Rural Online Support Systems)

http://www.ACROSSNET.net.au
ACROSSNET is a three-year collaborative action research project. It aims to design and develop an online support system that will assist community professionals in rural and remote areas to access information, education and support on mental health suicide risk and resilience factors. Mental health workers in other locations across Queensland are also encouraged to use this site.

Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health

http://www.crrmh.com.au
Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health is located in Orange, NSW. It is a major rural initiative of The University of Newcastle, Faculty of Health and the NSW Department of Health. CRRMH aims to bring quality education and research programs to all rural areas of NSW through effective partnerships.

Australian Rural Health Website

http://www.ruralhealth.gov.au/
Part of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. The Office has responsibility for advising on general rural health strategies and for delivering a range of targeted activities supported by the Portfolio to improve the health and well being of Australians living in regional, rural and remote localities. The Office also has a wider role in monitoring programs delivered by other parts of the Portfolio and which impact on rural and regional communities.

HealthInsite

HealthInsite, a national government resource directory

National Rural Health Alliance

http://www.ruralhealth.org.au/nrhapublic/
The National Rural Health Alliance is the peak body working to improve the health of Australians in rural and remote areas. It is comprised of 24 Member Bodies, representing both health consumers and service providers in non-metropolitan areas.

Australian Journal of Rural Health

http://rrh.deakin.edu.au/

University of South Australia Library

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/med/menthealth/rural.html
University of South Australia Library's resource directory for rural mental health

Mulga Net

http://www.mulganet.net.au
An on-line information and resource-sharing network of rural mental health sector

Beyondblue rural pages

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=84
Rural pages at beyondblue, the national depression initiative.

11. MEDIA REPORTING ON SUICIDE & MENTAL HEALTH

MindFrame: Reporting Suicide and Mental Illness

http://www.mindframe-media.info & http://www.mindframe-media.info/mentalhealth/
Mindframe-media is an online companion to the publication 'Reporting Suicide and Mental Illness - a resource for media professionals' and 'Reporting Suicide and Mental Illness - a resource for mental health professionals'. Provides practical advice and information to support the work of media professionals and mental health professionals by informing them about responsible and appropriate reporting of suicide and mental illness. Provides access to current Australian statistics on mental illness and rates of suicide.

Media Guidelines for Reporting on Suicide (US)

http://www.suicidology.org/associations/1045/files/MediaRecommendations.pdf
The media can play a powerful role in educating the public about suicide prevention. Stories about suicide can inform readers and viewers and highlight opportunities to prevent suicide, but they also have the potential to do harm. Implementation of recommendations for media coverage of suicide has been shown to decrease suicide rates.

SPRC resources (US)

The Role of the Media in Preventing Suicide
Safe and Effective Messaging for Suicide Prevention
At-a-glance: Safe Reporting on Suicide
Guide to engaging media in Suicide Prevention

Preventing suicide : a resource for media professionals

http://www.who.int/mental_health/media/en/426.pdf
WHO resource. "Reporting of suicide in an appropriate, accurate and potentially helpful manner by enlightened media can prevent tragic loss of lives by suicide" (p.6)

Media Influences on Suicide (Canada)

http://www.suicideinfo.ca/csp/assets/alert58.pdf

Media Guidelines for the Portrayal of Suicide

http://www.ias.ie/files/library/MediaGuidelinesForThePortrayalOfSuicide.pdf

The Media and suicide: guidance for journalists from journalists (UK)

http://www.mediawise.org.uk/files/uploaded/The20and20.pdf
MediaWise Trust, (incorporating PressWise) a UK based charity providing advice, information, research and training on media ethics. See their Suicide and the media web pages including training modules to encourage responsible reporting of suicide

Using the Internet for Suicide Prevention: a guide

A resource to assist consumers and professionals in accessing suicide prevention information, counselling and chat rooms on the Internet.
Complete Guide (all sections) [ 960k ]
Section 1 Using the Internet [ 536k ]
Section 2 Internet Counselling [ 348k ]
Section 3 Chat rooms [ 488k ]

12. COUNSELLING & REFERRALS

Australian Psychological Society (APS)

http://www.psychology.org.au/FindaPsychologist
Search for a psychologist in your area. Access over 1,500 psychologists Australia wide, who are in private practice and provide services for a fee.

The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia Inc (PACFA)

http://www.pacfa.org.au/scripts
Has a national register of individual counsellors and psychotherapists available to the public.

RANZCP

http://www.ranzcp.org/publicarea/contactus.asp#3
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is the principal organisation representing the medical specialty of psychiatry in Australasia and New Zealand. Referral information is given through State Branch offices.

13. IF YOU ARE FEELING SUICIDAL

Metanoia (US)

http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/
A US based website providing support and information to people who might be thinking about suicide. Contains conversations and writings for suicidal persons to read. If you're feeling at all suicidal, be sure to read this page before you take any action. It might just save your life.

QPR Institute (USA)

http://www.qprinstitute.com/Foreverweb.htm
To help save lives, the best-selling book "Suicide the Forever Decision, For those Thinking about Suicide and for Those who Know, Love and Counsel Them", by Paul Quinnett, Ph.D. (of the QPR Institute), is made available in a free electronic format to anyone in the world who wishes to read it or share it with others

Toughin' in out

Survival skills brochure for dealing with suicidal thoughts

Tool Kit for helping someone at risk of suicide

Toolkit for helping someone at risk of suicide (pdf)
Toolkit developed by Lifeline's Just ask, rural mental health information service

SANE Australia

Thinking of suicide - Getting help if you're feeling suicidal

SANE Steps: How to help when someone is suicidal

Disclaimer

The diagnosis of mental health disorders requires trained medical professionals. The information on this Internet site is to be used for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for seeking professional care in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Any reference to a commercial product, process, service, company or organisation should not be taken as an endorsement or recommendation by Lifeline Australia.