Outside the City: Designing Suicide Prevention for Rural and Remote Communities
Tracks
Stanley B
| Wednesday, November 8, 2023 |
| 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM |
| Stanley B |
Overview
Laura Grattidge, Centre for Rural Health/University of Tasmania, and Dr Sally Fitzpatrick, Everymind and Manna Institute
Speaker
Dr Sally Fitzpatrick
Project Lead
Everymind and Manna Institute
Outside the City: Designing Suicide Prevention for Rural and Remote Communities
Abstract
A complex interplay of personal, social, and situational factors contribute to rates of suicide in rural areas being around 60% higher than urban counterparts. Increased risk centres on social and geographic isolation, exposure to natural disasters and adversity, and lack of healthcare options including mental health specialists. When planning and implementing suicide prevention in rural areas there needs to be consideration of the unique characteristics of communities, accounting for cultures and histories, and understanding of risk and protective factors. Programs therefore need to be tailored to suit the needs of demographic groups most at risk, building on the strengths of rural communities, and the expertise of people with lived experience.
This co-facilitated Masterclass aims to explore opportunities and strategies used to facilitate co-ordinated suicide prevention action in rural and remote areas. Engaging participants in practical exercises and group discussions will enable the sharing of insights and experiences of suicide prevention and lived experience in rural communities. Activities will bring participants together in interactive ways, exploring the themes of Wellbeing, Prevention, Intervention, Postvention and the enablers relevant to people and communities, and whole of government. The expected outcomes of the Master Class, are therefore to:
1. Identify preferred ways of planning and delivering suicide prevention in regional, rural, and remote communities, and;
2. Draft key recommendations for suicide prevention action that is led by and delivered in regional, rural, and remote communities.
Masterclass participants will also be provided the opportunity to provide input into the draft recommendations and report that will be circulated to influence program and policy development in Australia.
This co-facilitated Masterclass aims to explore opportunities and strategies used to facilitate co-ordinated suicide prevention action in rural and remote areas. Engaging participants in practical exercises and group discussions will enable the sharing of insights and experiences of suicide prevention and lived experience in rural communities. Activities will bring participants together in interactive ways, exploring the themes of Wellbeing, Prevention, Intervention, Postvention and the enablers relevant to people and communities, and whole of government. The expected outcomes of the Master Class, are therefore to:
1. Identify preferred ways of planning and delivering suicide prevention in regional, rural, and remote communities, and;
2. Draft key recommendations for suicide prevention action that is led by and delivered in regional, rural, and remote communities.
Masterclass participants will also be provided the opportunity to provide input into the draft recommendations and report that will be circulated to influence program and policy development in Australia.
Biography
Dr Fitzpatrick is a Program Manager at Everymind. She is also a Clinical Psychologist and researcher who is passionate about the prevention of mental ill-health and suicide, as well as the promotion of wellbeing for all Australians.
Dr Fitzpatrick’s program and research work is focussed on understanding the factors that contribute to mental health and wellbeing, and the translation of this knowledge into evidence-based programs for dissemination in local communities. Dr Fitzpatrick holds conjoint positions with The University of Newcastle and Macquarie University.
Ms Laura Grattidge
Project Manager/PhD Candidate
Centre For Rural Health/University of Tasmania
Outside the City: Designing Suicide Prevention for Rural and Remote Communities
Abstract
A complex interplay of personal, social, and situational factors contribute to rates of suicide in rural areas being around 60% higher than urban counterparts. Increased risk centres on social and geographic isolation, exposure to natural disasters and adversity, and lack of healthcare options including mental health specialists. When planning and implementing suicide prevention in rural areas there needs to be consideration of the unique characteristics of communities, accounting for cultures and histories, and understanding of risk and protective factors. Programs therefore need to be tailored to suit the needs of demographic groups most at risk, building on the strengths of rural communities, and the expertise of people with lived experience.
This co-facilitated Masterclass aims to explore opportunities and strategies used to facilitate co-ordinated suicide prevention action in rural and remote areas. Engaging participants in practical exercises and group discussions will enable the sharing of insights and experiences of suicide prevention and lived experience in rural communities. Activities will bring participants together in interactive ways, exploring the themes of Wellbeing, Prevention, Intervention, Postvention and the enablers relevant to people and communities, and whole of government. The expected outcomes of the Master Class, are therefore to:
1. Identify preferred ways of planning and delivering suicide prevention in regional, rural, and remote communities, and;
2. Draft key recommendations for suicide prevention action that is led by and delivered in regional, rural, and remote communities.
Masterclass participants will also be provided the opportunity to provide input into the draft recommendations and report that will be circulated to influence program and policy development in Australia.
This co-facilitated Masterclass aims to explore opportunities and strategies used to facilitate co-ordinated suicide prevention action in rural and remote areas. Engaging participants in practical exercises and group discussions will enable the sharing of insights and experiences of suicide prevention and lived experience in rural communities. Activities will bring participants together in interactive ways, exploring the themes of Wellbeing, Prevention, Intervention, Postvention and the enablers relevant to people and communities, and whole of government. The expected outcomes of the Master Class, are therefore to:
1. Identify preferred ways of planning and delivering suicide prevention in regional, rural, and remote communities, and;
2. Draft key recommendations for suicide prevention action that is led by and delivered in regional, rural, and remote communities.
Masterclass participants will also be provided the opportunity to provide input into the draft recommendations and report that will be circulated to influence program and policy development in Australia.
Biography
Ms Laura Grattidge is a project manager and PhD candidate at the Centre for Rural Health (University of Tasmania), with experience managing mental health, wellbeing, and suicide prevention program evaluations. Laura is also an ECR and Lived Experience representative for the Project Management Group at the Manna Institute. Through her PhD, Laura is exploring the role of community-based suicide prevention in rural communities and developing ‘Best Practice Guidelines for Youth Suicide Prevention in Rural Australian Communities’, to empower community-level action and common-sense approaches with lived experience at the centre of all efforts, to reach at-risk people in rural communities.
