The LivingWorks programs work in a knowledge translation best practice environment for over 30 years with more than 50 peer reviewed journals. This includes the approach to work in school environments and our partnership with Orygen - world leading researcher in youth suicide prevention. As part of this initiative, pilots were held in Australian schools of a new SafeTALK, designed specifically for young people and their communities.
This presentation will explore LivingWorks Australia’s community gatekeeper program – the largest of its kind internationally - to provide suicide intervention training to school communities and other targeted groups. Teachers and parents/carers are well-placed to undertake a brief intervention and connect a young person to safety connections within the school community, such as wellbeing and clinical staff.
Since COVID, young people across Australian school communities have been experiencing high rates of suicide attempts and suicidality and, in some instances suicides. Latest evidence shows young people are risk of situational suicide, where it seems like the attempt/suicide is out of the blue.
However, evidence also shows we need touch points around young people – at school, home and in the community – trained and ready to spot the signs of suicide, ask directly about suicide, and connect young people to safety and support.
The presentation will also explore:
● The consultation exercise for integration of LivingWorks training programs in schools and providing safety and trust in the LivingWorks offerings.
● How LivingWorks collaborate in partnership to determine ‘best fit’ training and ‘high risk’ school communities that need careful considerations around safety.
● Identify, link and support implementation of training with schools, ensuring confidence and safety.
● Support the uptake of training by disseminating key communication in their school community and other connections (i.e., Interagency groups).