Our Towns and Communities Matters · Our Towns and Communities Matter Report | 7 Whilst there is a...

A Hinterland collaborative project April – August 2016

RepoRtEquipping Hinterland communities to better support vulnerable

people and determining next steps in suicide prevention

our towns and Communities Matter

Seek help through these National Services: Lifeline ............................................13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service ..............1300 659 467

MensLine Australia .........................1300 78 99 78

Kids Helpline .................................. 1800 55 1800 or

www.kidshelpline.com.au

Standby Response Service ............0407 766 961 (Maroochydore)

QLife ...............................................1800 18 4527

Beyond Blue Helpline .....................1300 22 4636

Cover Artwork & Illustrations: Jennie Morris

Graphic Design: Julia Peddie www.juliapeddie.com

“people of all races & colour need to get back to the land, to country & connect with their soul, spirit & consciousness itself.”

Aunty Pam White (Dinnawhan)

AcknowledgementWe acknowledge the Traditional Owners for their stewardship of this land and pay

our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

Our Towns and Communities Matter Report | 1

thank youThe project team would like to thank everyone who contributed to this project

– especially those community members who shared their stories and wisdom.

Sunshine Coast Partners in Recovery for funding the project

Project Steering Committee

Lisa Price

Nooreen Harris

Ana Leigh Greenfield

Amanda Cowley

Tomas Passeggi

Merilyn Keene

Project Officer

Janet Adena

2 | Our Towns and Communities Matter Report

This piece of work and evolving structures,

collaborations and practice are dedicated

to Rhett and to other Hinterland people who

have died by suicide and their families,

friends and communities.

Dedication

“Get to know your heart’s voice…”

CommitmentWe create a welcoming, safe and responsive space for all.


Executive Summary ..................................................................................................5Introduction .................................................................................................................7• 1.1 Purpose .........................................................................................................8• 1.2 Background ...................................................................................................8• 1.2.1 Study area .....................................................................................................9• 1.3 Method .........................................................................................................9• 1.4 Scope ..........................................................................................................10• 1.5 Limitations ..................................................................................................10

Stage One• 2.1 Community engagement approach ............................................................12• 2.1.1 Story gathering ............................................................................................12• 2.1.2 Community and service provider forums ....................................................17• 2.2 Community engagement findings ...............................................................18• 2.3 Other research ............................................................................................21• 2.3.1 Gaps in and barriers to service provision ...................................................21• 2.3.2 Cross boundary issues in the southern Hinterland .....................................22• 2.3.3 Gaps in services in the southern Hinterland ...............................................23

Stage Two• 3.1 Action Plan .................................................................................................26• 3.1.1 Action Plan progress to date .......................................................................26

Conclusions ..............................................................................................................29

Recommendations ..................................................................................................31

Appendices ...............................................................................................................32

Contents


executive summary

“ The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS figures) into suicide deaths showing a 10 year high are ‘deeply disturbing and disappointing’ according to mental health Not for Profit SANE. The Causes of Death, Australia Report recorded 3027 deaths from suicide in 2015 – 8 deaths each day and a 10 year high”.1

In 2014 an estimated 627 people in Queensland took their lives.2 In addition, for every person who died by suicide, it is estimated there are at least another 20 people who attempt suicide.3

In small communities such as those in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, loss of life by suicide does have impacts that ripple out and affect many. The Our Towns and Communities Matter project (OTACM), was an initiative to engage Sunshine Coast Hinterland communities to:

• Provide better informal support for vulnerable people and • Determine the next steps in suicide prevention

The project was funded by the Sunshine Coast Partners in Recovery (PIR) program and delivered collaboratively by Care Connect, Maleny Neighbourhood Centre and Caloundra Community Centre. The project is aligned with federal and state government initiatives for suicide prevention.

The National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) provides the platform for Australia’s national policy on suicide prevention with an emphasis on promotion, prevention and early intervention.4 Aligned with this strategy is the recently released Queensland Mental Health Commission’s ‘Queensland Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2015-2017’ (QSPAP) that promotes a shared goal which “aims to reduce suicide and its impact on Queenslanders and is a step towards achieving a 50 per cent reduction in suicides in Queensland within a decade”.5

The OTACM project commenced in April 2016 and was delivered in two stages:

Stage 1 – information gathering comprising community engagement, desktop research, gap analysis and a cross boundary issues study;

Stage 2 - an Action Plan aligned with the four QSPAP priority areas: Stronger community awareness and capacity; Improved service system responses and capacity; Focused support for vulnerable groups; and a Stronger more accessible evidence base.

Findings from Stage 1 confirmed that there are multiple factors which may contribute to the incidence of suicide in the Hinterland. These factors include: social and geographic isolation; financial hardship; unemployment; limited and relatively expensive transport and accommodation; paucity in primary health and service provider coverage – particularly for

1 Pro Bono Australia News, 26 September 2016 https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2016/09/australian-suicide-rate-deeply-disturbing/2 Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (2015), Suicide Mortality Data in QLD for 2014, Griffith University, Brisbane. 3 SANE Australia Factsheet – Suicidal Behaviour Last updated: 12 January, 2016 https://www.sane.org/mental-health-and-illness/facts-and-

guides/suicidal-behaviour4 Australian Government Department of Health - http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-nsps5 Queensland Mental Health Commission, Reducing suicide and it’s impact: Queensland Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2015-17 Summary,

p.1 https://www.qmhc.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Queensland-Suicide-Prevention-Action-Plan-SUMMARY_WEB.pdf


high risk groups; lack of a coordinated process for locating, navigating and accessing existing services and; cross boundary issues creating difficulty in accessing services for vulnerable people.

The OTACM Action Plan was ratified in July by the PIR Partnership Council. Despite the relatively short time frame, significant progress was made by the project steering committee in implementing many objectives outlined in the plan including:

• Initiation and development of a Hinterland Steering Committee to oversee the Action Plan

• Initiation and development of working groups in each of the three study areas – Glasshouse Country, Maleny and Kenilworth – to progress projects in the Action Plan

• Drafting of governance documents and members list to support the formation of a Hinterland Strategic Reference Group

• Either ASIST or SafeTALK training delivered to over 50 community members from diverse backgrounds across the study area

• Consultation and stronger relationships with key stakeholder organisations e.g. Roses in the Ocean, Standby Response Service, Suicide Prevention Australia and

• The delivery of a successful, well publicised World Suicide Prevention Day event in Maleny

A set of recommendations is found at the end of this report highlighting the need for stronger community connection, better services and support for high risk groups, partnering for sustainability, building on community strengths and supporting formal and informal community networks.


Although suicide affects people from a diversity of backgrounds, research indicates that people living in regional and rural communities experience higher rates of suicide and are generally at greater risk of suicide.6 The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2014 indicates that there were 2864 deaths in Australia, which equates to 7.8 deaths each day. The Queensland statistics for the same period estimates that 627 Queenslanders died by suicide.7

While suicide rates have remained relatively stable in Queensland at around 13.3 per 100,000 people between 2009–2013, they continue to be higher than the national rate of 10.9 per 100,000 people and higher than the rates in most other states and territories. (Figure 1)

There were 420 Sunshine Coast deaths by suicide identified with the date of notification between 2003 and 2013.8 Of these, 320 deaths were male and 100 were female. There was an average of 42 deaths by self-harm reported per calendar year for the Sunshine Coast.9

Loss of life to suicide is not new in the Hinterland. Maleny Neighbourhood Centre itself came into being as a result of suicide;

“ In 1992 the School Captain at Maleny High School unexpectedly ended his own life. Not long after a prominent local business man also died by suicide. The community was shocked by the events, and 2 public meetings were held to discuss what the community could do to better support people. Each event had 60+ people attend and from these forums a group was created that founded the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre in 1993. Initially they were just hiring rooms in community spaces and volunteers were providing information and referrals, as well as a safe space”.

Lisa Price – Maleny Local

Introduction

Figure 1: Suicides by state and territory between 2009–2013 (age standardised rate per 100,000)

State/Territory RatesNorthern Territory 17.6

Tasmania 14.0

Western Australia 13.4

Queensland 13.3South Australia 11.9

Victoria 9.4

New South Wales 9.1

Australian Capital Territory 9.1

National 10.9

6 Suicide in Rural and Remote areas of Australia (2012), IA Kõlves, Milner, McKay & De Leo, The Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University p 1

7 Queensland Mental Health Commission, Queensland Suicide Prevention Action Plan (2015 – 2017) p 68 National Coronial Information System. DR16-15:Intentional Self Harm Fatalities in the Sunshine Coast Region 2003 - 20139 Ibid


Whilst there is a strong sense of pride and community identity evident within the townships of Beerwah, Maleny and Kenilworth, the Our Towns and Communities Matter project clearly highlighted that these communities share many of the same range and extent of vulnerabilities as other rural and regional communities across Australia. We found that if you just ‘scratch the surface’ anywhere in the Hinterland, started a conversation about this project or offered some training, there are people impacted by suicide or who have a story to tell.

The cumulative impact of social and geographic isolation, financial hardship, unemployment, lack of transport and accommodation, stigma and paucity in primary health and service provider coverage are consistently identified as playing a significant contributing role in the incidence of suicide throughout the Hinterland. Added to this, the general lack of services typically taken for granted in the more populated metropolitan areas and the general lack of a coordinated and centralised process for knowing what the service and support options are and how best to access these, compounds the help seeking attempts of people who are vulnerable and at risk of suicide.

Other gaps in the Hinterland from a suicide prevention perspective included: no formal networks or community conversation about suicide prevention; very little promotion of suicide prevention or pathways to safety; no recognition of events such as World Suicide Prevention Day; no efforts made to reduce stigma associated with loss of life due to suicide; and Kenilworth’s reduction in services, including no General Practitioner.

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this report is to:

• Outline the methodology underpinning the Our Towns and Communities Matter suicide prevention initiative – Stages 1 (Community Engagement and Research) and Stage 2 (Action Plan)

• Articulate the results of the local area findings in relation to suicide and suicide prevention from the three Hinterland communities of Maleny, Beerwah and Kenilworth

• Identify the specifics of the subsequent action planning processes and the progression of the Action Plan

• Make recommendations for the next steps in this work

1.2 Background

In 2015 – early 2016 there was an opportunity to put forward a proposal to the Sunshine Coast Partners in Recovery (PIR) program for funding. Care Connect in consultation with Caloundra Community Centre and the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre prepared a draft proposal. This proposal was in response to a recent death by suicide which impacted on a family and many others in the Maleny community. There were also numerous other Hinterland stories of incidents occurring over a number of years. Though one of the strengths of the Hinterland is


informal community support, the Partners in Recovery program in the Hinterland is difficult to deliver in this sub region of the Sunshine Coast. There is almost a complete absence of formal human services including mental health services that would reduce risk factors and increase the protective factors so important for suicide prevention.

Then a more refined proposal was presented to the PIR Partnership Council. The project was approved in two stages culminating in an agreement with the Primary Health Network and the recruitment of a Project Officer on contract to the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre. Due to the end date for the funding period, there was a mere four months (from April 2016-August 2016) to complete what was named the Our Towns and Communities Matter project.

A Project Steering Committee, comprised of members from Care Connect, Caloundra Community Centre and Maleny Neighbourhood Centre, formed to work in partnership and provide direction for the Our Towns and Communities Matter project (OTACM). The project aimed to:

“ equip community members in the Hinterland to provide better informal support for vulnerable people and determine the next steps toward suicide prevention”.

1.2.1 Study area

The project area covered communities within PIR’s Hinterland Sub Region boundaries. Both Caloundra Community Centre (CCC) and Maleny Neighbourhood Centre (MNC) are also funded to deliver services such as community development, emergency relief and family support in most of these towns and, due to this, have existing strong relationships within these communities and capacity to continue working in the area when the project ceases.

For the purpose of this project, the steering committee decided to focus on three Hinterland hubs - Maleny, Kenilworth and Beerwah in Glasshouse Country. These locations have existing community assets and social capital which can provide a foundation upon which to build protective factors that can prevent suicide.

The committee acknowledges that the Hinterland has multiple townships and communities and has considered this in our recommendations.

1.3 Method

The project was implemented in two stages:

Stage 1 – Information gathering which comprised community and key stakeholder engagement and analysis; desktop research; service gap analysis and cross boundary issues study.

A community engagement approach was undertaken to raise awareness of the project, to gather data on existing community strengths and services, to understand service gaps and to highlight opportunities and ideas to build stronger communities in the future.


Stage 2 – Development of an Action Plan.

Both the data analysis and Action Planning components aligned with State and Federal Government frameworks outlined in the following documents:

• Queensland Mental Health Commission’s Queensland Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2015-2017 (QSPAP) and

• The Australian Government National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS)

Data analysis was undertaken through the Living is for Everyone (LIFE) Framework (see Appendix 1) of Prevention, Treatment and Continuing Care which is outlined in both documents and sets an overarching evidence based strategic policy framework for suicide prevention in Australia.10

The Action Plan was informed by the four priority areas in the Queensland Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2015-17: Stronger community awareness and capacity; Improved service system responses and capacity; Focussed support for vulnerable groups and; A stronger more accessible evidence base.

Each study area was distinct in geographic location, how the community views itself and how government views each town from a planning and resourcing perspective. Due to this, it was decided that each area required its own research process as a part of an overall approach for the Hinterland.

1.4 Scope

Project objectives were, and will continue to be, to:

• Better coordinate services, support and resources in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland

• Improve service access issues at the southern end of the Hinterland resulting from cross boundary exclusions

• Reduce social isolation and increase emotional well being

• Improve referral pathways to reduce access barriers

• Build community capacity to achieve levels of sustainable support based on recovery principles

1.5 Limitations

Identified limitations include:

• Attention was focussed on three centres in the Hinterland. Additional resourcing would have provided a deeper study of other distinct communities for example Crystal Waters Eco Village, Conondale, Mooloolah, Montville and Mapleton

• Due to project time limitations it was difficult to build meaningful relationships with people

10 Australian Government Department of Health, http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-nsps


from the ATSI community. Therefore quality approaches to suicide prevention in these communities are lacking and require further engagement

• Opportunities for engagement are affected by availability, resources, timing of promotions, and appropriate tools for a target group

• In relation to the sensitive nature of topics discussed, it was not advisable to ask for feedback via online survey. This may have prevented people from engaging with the project for a number of reasons, including being isolated at home, not wanting to engage face to face and not being available at a particular time for an engagement event


2.1 Community engagement approach

Two forms of community engagement were used – story gathering and forums including workshop activities.

Information gathering and community engagement is sensitive in the context of suicide. Therefore, safeguards were put into place to ensure wellbeing of participants in the project including:

• Members of the Standby Response team at each community forum

• Carefully crafted questions

• Forum conversations facilitated so suicide details were not required

• Individual conversations regarding those bereaved by suicide limited to people once removed from a suicide or from those trained as a part of the Suicide Prevention Lived Experience Speakers Bureau

2.1.1 Story gathering

Eleven stories were gathered with representation across the following sectors; aged care, ATSI, LGBTI, Community Centres, youth services, business, mothers, volunteers, men’s group, school nurses, people living with mental health issues.

Through a process of guided story telling participants provided information and feedback on:

• How the community responds to suicide and provides support

• What rituals, gatherings and/or other debriefing strategies help the community to heal

• The types of information that would be most helpful and the methods of dissemination needed

• The involvement and experience of services and what good support would look like

Themes and issues included:

• Stigma and isolation due a number of reasons including: religious and cultural beliefs in relation to death and suicide; sexual orientation; people not knowing what to say or do for someone who has experienced the loss of a loved one through suicide; misinformation and gossip:

“ 2 months later…. Nearly everyone avoided us. I felt like I wanted to yell at them ‘just come up and say hello. If you can’t do that, at least wave’.”

“ In a country town it’s a lot harder being LGBTI, depending on parental and peer support. It’s important that the youth have an accepting community, knowing you feel safe.”

Stage one


“ In a small community everyone knows.”

“ There’s a need for better and more accurate public information/research around suicide and suicide prevention to direct public opinion.”

• Informal supports and networks were very important for people post losing a loved one to suicide. There were examples of people supporting in a variety of ways. Support is usually welcome however sometimes people prefer privacy. Ideally it is about choice of how, where and when they are supported.

Interviewees sometimes touched on how the different communities are changing, through growth, gentrification, loss of services and facilities and how the community has responded to this.

Some comments were:

“ Practical help. We got a roster going and took meals and visited. It’s what this community is good at.”

“ Is it a private or public issue? Every suicide needs to be treated in a different way. If private, people should be able to choose what they share, how it is done and grieve in whatever way is appropriate for them. Support should be available if wanted. It’s up to the family and significant others around the situation”

“ I think we just talked and supported the family and, in that way, we felt supported too.”

“ An opportunity to celebrate a person’s life in some way is a good thing, a ritual for the community. A book to write in or a facebook page. The neighbourhood centre could have a book in the foyer. Cleaning and cooking and picking up children and all the practical things can really assist a family when they are experiencing the death of a loved one. Correct information also needs to be circulated, working with the family’s wishes.”

“ This community’s strength is in the high capacity to respond but there are changes in the way this community now operates. People are tired. Energy, connectedness and integration have been eroded away.”

“ All of the repercussions and nuances of fairly rapid gentrification. Not enough housing, rental accommodation further out of town as it is cheaper – changing community and community support e.g. Up Front Club, The Range News gone”


• Access to professional services including specialist counselling

People said that professional services were either unavailable, not appropriate, difficult to access or were not well publicised in the Hinterland. Cross boundary issues and complex referral pathways were discussed as issues. Access to specialised services including drug and alcohol counselling were suggested on a couple of occasions. Not all people interviewed were aware of the Standby Response Service however, when the service was used it was described as being of great value.

Some comments included:

“ The people left behind after suicides are vulnerable and particularly sensitive immediately after the event. They tend to drink in everything a professional says. If something they say is a bit insensitive, it may do more harm.”

“ I went to many psychologists and at least 3 said they couldn’t help me as they didn’t know how to support someone bereaved by suicide.”

“Standby talked to the kids at the school which was great.”

“ My neighbour took his own life just over 12 months ago…I believe that one of the events leading up to his death was inconsistent care from the mental health system. He ended up in a hospital away from family supports (he took his life during this time); also there were systems issues, complex referral pathways and an inability to easily access services.”

“ There were no services involved afterwards ……There was a flyer in the post box from an organisation but I just threw it out. Surely it could have been face to face. I think that my thoughts are that counselling is a good idea however if the counsellor can come into the person’s home as perhaps the person does not feel strong enough to come out yet. Also, if someone declines counselling, can the counsellor follow them up eg. one month later, 3 months later till they are ready?”

“ Need to make sure that services are available to support people for example, family violence.”

“ More promotion of counselling services and information regarding what services are available. Facebook is a good tool to promote this.”

“ There should be more services for drug and alcohol abuse in Maleny. It’s an issue in this community and partly why XXXX died. Isolation comes with alcoholism and drug use as does depression. This continual isolation can cause people to suicide. It would be good if there were more social activities to support people when they are depressed, down or isolated.”


“ SCOPE has outreached to the Hinterland in the past. They are funded to provide a service here and at one stage they had a really good worker who knew how to engage the local community.”

“ A youth support worker was present in the Hinterland but I’m unsure what has happened with that role – may have been absorbed into the schools.”

“ It is still a constant battle to get services to come to the Hinterland and properly connect with the communities.”

• Community spaces and connections: Similar to the community forums, people spoke of a lack of community facilities that provided space and support for people who wanted to simply drop in. This was evident in Beerwah and Kenilworth and to a lesser extent in Maleny. They also spoke of the need to connect with other people. Aunty Pam spoke of a need to connect with our individual and collective spirit and also with Country.

About community spaces and connection:

“It’s important for people to have a place to connect and feel welcome.”

“ The soul wants to experience the truth of oneness and connectedness but the mind in the western system is conflicted and doesn’t know what to do. It is not in touch with natural law. People of all races and colour need to get back to the land, to country and connect with their soul, spirit and consciousness itself”

Comment about a town in the Southern Hinterland; “A community centre would be great for this community. It would give people who are suffering from social isolation and/or lack of support or lack of purpose a reason for living and a way to connect with others. It would also connect the community in a greater way to support those who were bereaved (only if they wanted this.)….. It’s all about connectedness.”

“When the UpFront Club closed it was a gut wrenching loss”

“Social media on the whole is positive. Lots of connections are made here”.

“ We need a group of passionate people with vision and energy to create a community centre where people feel welcome – that meets basic needs of people who want to connect and have nowhere else to do this. It’s all about connectedness. A community centre that is grassroots, not corporatized. Where people connect as equals and there is not ‘power over’ from workers.”


• Access to support groups: People spoke about the power of support groups and lack of them in the Hinterland:

“ The Standby Bereavement group is so wonderful. It felt like I’d known those people all my life. At the time, it was the only place that I felt accepted and with my people. Waiting a whole month for the support group was difficult.”

“ Discovery has run outreach services in Maleny in the past. They ran 2 groups at the UpFront Club, however due to the cost of providing workers for outreach and the low uptake the service was pulled.”

“ Groups where people learn to move forward rather than get stuck… Counselling but with counsellors who are trained in grief from suicide.”

“ ICE is growing in this community as an issue. There’s no rehab. Drugs and alcohol support group would be good in Beerwah – doesn’t matter what you are going through, support groups are great – soft access to referral.”

“Support groups weren’t for me but they are for others. It’s individual.

• Assertive strategies for people finding it difficult to reach out

“I worry about Dad. I think he needs a group but probably wouldn’t go. Men need to be doing things when they talk.”

“I think we need to offer training to existing groups and to key people where ‘hard to reach out to’ people frequent.”

“Prior to his death there were boundaries issues – even though both neighbours were social workers, there was a sense that he felt he was burdening them and he did not reach out. They (the social worker neighbours) were concerned at being seen as ‘The Mental Health Support’ in Maleny.”

“We need to talk about suicide and we need to talk about mental health. … I’m involved with Roses in the Ocean – their speakers’ bureau – to assist by talking about the subject. It’s really needed.”

• Community capacity building: Capacity building was discussed in regard to training people in the community such as sporting groups and senior school students to have skills like mental health first aid and programs like SafeTALK.


“ In an ideal world, Mental Health First Aid would be made compulsory for Year 12 students like normal first aid which is offered at school. It would be awesome for Year 12 students who may be able to identify at risk young people. It is important to offer this to community members – not workers”.

“ Mental Health First Aid would be built into systems like first aid. It would be part of Workplace Health and Safety. People would need to do refreshers every 2nd year etc.”

Story gathering personalised the work of this project and was a rich source of input and information that lent depth to the community engagement process.

2.1.2 Community and service provider forums

The following 5 forums were hosted throughout May and June:

• Kenilworth

• Maleny x 2

• Beerwah/Landsborough/Glass House Mountains

• Sunshine Coast service provider forum hosted at Woombye

Information sought included issues, strengths and suggestions on the following:

• Service access and availability

• Support for informal and community networks

• Existing capacity for, and confidence in, early detection and prevention of suicide

• Awareness of service and support options

Promotion for these events included:

• Advertisements (see Appendix 2 for copy of flyer) in local newspapers, Glasshouse Country and Maleny News, Hinterland Times and The Mary Valley Voice.

• Newspaper articles in the Hinterland Times and Glasshouse Country and Maleny News.

• Facebook postings

• Phone calls to service providers and interested parties

• Emails through community networks including Sunshine Coast Housing Network and Hinterland Welfare Network

• Newsletters including Caloundra Community Centre and Maleny Neighbourhood Centre


2.2 Community engagement findings

Issues, gaps and suggestions from community engagement activities have been thematically analysed and illustrated in the tables below.

Key outcomes included explorations of stigma, isolation, the need for informal networks and support, community training and education, easier access and availability of professional services and active strategies for hard to reach people.

The following groups were identified as being most at risk of suicide across the Hinterland:

• Men, including veterans, farmers and FIFO workers

• People who experience mental health issues

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

• Youth

• People from the LGBTI population

• Older people

• Carers

Obviously some people are impacted by coming from a combination of these more vulnerable groups.

“ It’s not always about trying to fix the person, we need training in listening”

“ We look after each other, it’s what we are good at”

*Average of 8.3 deaths by suicide in Australia each day (ABS Causes of Death data summary 2015 from Hunter Institute of Mental Health)


Maleny – Issues and GapsContinuum of best practice suicide prevention activities

Geographic isolation

Poor telecom-munications

Limited locally-based Primary Health Care services

Limited locally-based clinical and non-clinical mental health services esp. a/h

Limited locally-based community services

Limited knowledge of services and supports

Prevention

Treatment

Continuing Care

Further Comments

• Limited public transport and social isolation are big issues, particularly in satellite communities

• No specialist mental health service at Maleny Hospital

• Rural service provision costs more for both individuals and service providers

• Big gaps in services post-hospital

• Affordable housing is a growing issue with the gentrification of Maleny

• Limited visibility of outreach services

• Aged people socially isolated

Suggestions • Services need to develop assertive strategies for vulnerable people who are reluctant to access services

• Outreach services need to maintain a regular and visible presence in community

• Services need to investigate opportunities to pool limited resources and to work collaboratively

• Maleny needs a Well-being Hub, a centre which promotes general health and well-being and which is not mental health specific – more initiatives to promote community connections and support

• Services and community needs to be proactive in ensuring that the needs of Maleny residents are adequately represented on mental health and other related service forums and working parties

• Need for more anti-stigma initiatives

“ Training should be offered to key people in the community who are a part of existing community groups. E.g. sporting groups, service groups. Suicide Prevention and Mental Health would be built into systems like First Aid. It would be part of Workplace Health and Safety. People would need to do refreshers every 2nd year etc.” AND

“ The UpFront Club operated more like a Neighbourhood Centre or an extension of your living room than a club. People could drop in and stay for hours without feeling bad and without having to buy. People could connect and feel welcome.” (Roger, Community Member)

“ Sometimes you don’t always know what you need”

As previously noted, the following analysis is aligned to The Living is for Everyone (LIFE) Framework of Prevention, Treatment and Continuing Care which sets an overarching evidence based strategic policy framework for suicide prevention in Australia.


Beerwah and surrounds – Issues and GapsContinuum of best practice suicide prevention activities

Low SES, multiplicity of social problems


Limited locally-based Primary Health Care services

Limited locally-based clinical and non-clinical mental health services esp. a/h

Limited locally-based community services

Limited knowledge of services and supports

Cross-border issues

Prevention

Treatment

Continuing Care

Further Comments

• Geographic and social isolation are major issues; limited public transport esp. satellite communities

• Delay in emergency response due to geographic isolation

• Largest Hinterland township; rapidly growing population; multiplicity of social problems; feel their needs are overlooked, not on anyone’s radar

• In Sunshine Coast catchment but many locals identify with Caboolture and other railway towns

• No community centre; limited visibility of outreach services

• At risk youth especially with closing of the Flexischool

• No hospital; big gap in services post hospital

• Increased costs of rural service provision (individuals and service providers)

Suggestions • A community Neighbourhood Centre and a centralised information strategy are required (community hub)

• A regular and visible presence of outreach services in community is required

• Services need to investigate opportunities to pool limited resources and to work collaboratively

• Services and community needs to be proactive in ensuring that the needs of Beerwah residents are adequately represented on mental health and other related service forums and working parties

“ In an ideal world, Mental Health First Aid would be made compulsory for year 12 students like normal first aid which is offered at school. Mental Health first aid would be awesome for year 12 students who may be able to identify at risk young people. It is important to offer this to community members – not workers.” (School Nurse)

“ Looking after your own well-being is often the best thing you can do for others”

“ Talking about suicide still carries stigma”


Kenilworth – Issues and GapsContinuum of best practice suicide prevention activities

Geographic isolation and low population


No locally-based Primary Health Care services

No locally-based clinical and non-clinical mental health services esp. a/h

No locally-based community services

No knowledge of services and supports

Lack of continuity of care due to cross border issues

Prevention

Treatment

Continuing Care

Further Comments

• Geographic and social isolation, lack of public transport, closing of local industry, lack of local employment are major issues – community not on anyone’s radar

• Closing of local health and community services; no government funded ambulance service; delays in emergency response are major issues

• No general practitioner• No local hospital; big gaps in services post-hospital; no community centre; lack of basic community

services; lack of service knowledge about community• Increased costs of rural service provision (individuals and service providers)• No informal peer support/self-help networks; lack of respite for people who are ‘carers’

Suggestions • A community Neighbourhood Centre and centralised information strategy are required (community hub)• A regular health clinic• Outreach services need to maintain a regular and visible presence in community• Services need to investigate opportunities to pool limited resources and to work collaboratively• Adequate representation of Kenilworth on mental health and other related service forums/working parties• Need critical response pathways

“ Young people need to be involved”

2.3 Other research

Sections 2.3.1, 2.3.2 and 2.3.2 of this report are summaries of pieces of work undertaken by Ernestina (Tina) Searle (PIR Support Facilitator) in January – February 2016.

2.3.1 Gaps in and barriers to service provision

After analysis of information gathered through desktop research and the community engagement forums, numerous gaps in Hinterland service provision were identified. Refer to 2.3.3

Service and program gaps include accommodation, physical and mental health, alcohol and drugs, day time activities and company, employment, Indigenous and carers support, domestic violence, children and youth such as the Safe Schools program and infrastructure such as transport, connectivity through technology and rapid response Queensland Ambulance Services.


The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is comprised of multiple townships which form several unique communities. Glasshouse Country refers to locations such as Beerburrum, Glass House Mountains, Beerwah, Peachester, Landsborough and Mooloolah Valley.

Glasshouse Country is the most southern part of the Sunshine Coast Council region and the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (HHS). Geographically, however, Glass House Mountains is just as close (or even closer) to Morayfield and Caboolture than it is to the hubs of the Sunshine Coast (Nambour, Caloundra and Maroochydore). Caboolture is actually quicker and easier to travel to than Maroochydore or Caloundra for a Glasshouse Country resident who is reliant on public transport.

In addition to being geographically distanced from the hubs of the Sunshine Coast region, not all Glasshouse Country residents identify as living on the Sunshine Coast. Nor do they necessarily find it convenient to access their major services at Sunshine Coast hubs. People living in Glass House Mountains and Beerwah report that they often travel to Morayfield for

This piece of work resulted in a decision to form the Hinterland Strategic Reference Group. Key service providers will be invited to participate. The intention of this group will be to collaborate to implement project recommendations; to develop and deliver annual Hinterland plans; to advocate for resources on behalf of and specific to the Hinterland and to fill service gaps by pooling resources.

2.3.2 Cross boundary issues in the southern Hinterland

Actual example 1:Letter from a mother and carer Problems accessing offices of the Dept of Communities Child Safety and Disability ServicesI realise the need for these departments to be divided into regions but I find it is a problem when one lives on the border of a region. In my case I live at Glasshouse and am in the Maroochydore region. I find it difficult to get to Maroochydore office as I am not familiar with the region and parking is a major problem. This is especially so during the school holidays. There is also a lack of public transport between Glasshouse and Maroochydore. Not everyone has a car.Caboolture Office is closer and I regularly shop in the Caboolture –Morayfield centres. Parking is not a problem and also there is a regular train and Translink bus service between Glasshouse and Caboolture. In this age of computers and the internet why can`t the client access the office of their choice as can be done in the case of Centrelink. I would appreciate your consideration of this matter. Yours Sincerely,Claire Allan, mother and carer


bigger shopping trips and to Caloundra or Kawana for healthcare needs beyond their local GP. People in Mooloolah Valley often report that they go to Caloundra for bigger shopping trips and for their leisure activities or more specialised health care needs.

Many services have their geographical catchments aligned with the boundaries of the Hospital and Health Service and/or Council rather than with peoples’ real movement patterns. People who live on the edge of a region, such as Glasshouse Country, can experience some challenges to accessing conveniently located services, as the examples demonstrate.

2.3.3 Gaps in services in the southern Hinterland

Given the relatively high population statistics for Beerwah and the projected increases in population growth for this area as well as the cross boundary exclusion issues outlined above, a mapping process of services, service usage, referral pathways and cross boundary issues was undertaken. This mapping process focused on the following essential services areas identified by the Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal Schedule (CANSAS) and highlights the lack of services in the area.

a) Accommodation: (including Housing and Crisis Accommodation): No crisis accommodation; some social and public housing; very limited tenancy support. This is compounded by an increasing lack of affordable accommodation options and a high number of people with low socio-economic backgrounds.

b) Money: No locally based Centrelink. Closest Centrelink offices are at Caboolture or Caloundra; Glasshouse Country residents can access Emergency Relief support and food parcels from Caboolture, Glass House, Beerwah Youth and Community Centre, Mooloolah and Landsborough Neighbourhood Centres and are eligible to access financial counselling support at Caboolture, Caloundra and Nambour.

c) Employment: A number of employment agencies, including disability employment agencies, service Beerwah. None are locally based and require residents to travel to the agency; few if any provide outreach support.

Actual example 2:A lady residing with her family in Glass House Mountains was regularly calling an ambulance due to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. The ambulance would take her to the closest hospital, which was Caboolture. In the instances when she was hospitalised in the psychiatric unit, the lady was transferred to Nambour hospital because she resided within the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service. Therefore, her ongoing Case Management and psychiatrist appointments were through the Sunshine Coast services. This resulted in poor continuity of care because she was regularly being assessed and treated by two different teams. It would have been more convenient for her to attend her psychiatrist appointments at Caboolture than it was for her to travel to Nambour or Kawana.


d) Meaningful daytime activities and mental health support: No locally based clinical or non-primary mental health services. Outreach public mental health support is available from the Mental Health Service at Nambour or Maroochydore. Emergency QAS support is available but depending on demand, this support may come from Nambour, Caloundra or in some instances, Caboolture. PHaMs provides outreach support to Maleny. Residents are eligible to access outreach mental health peer support initiatives at Maleny and Caloundra but are ineligible to access a range of tertiary non-clinical mental health services (peer or otherwise) in Caboolture due to boundary issues.

e) Alcohol and other drugs: Glasshouse Country residents can access a public Alcohol and Other Drug outreach clinic at Caloundra. AA meetings are offered at a range of locations including: Maleny, Landsborough, Glass House Mountains, Nambour, Maroochydore, Caloundra and Caboolture. Services at Maroochydore can offer limited support for intravenous drug users from Glass House Mountains. This service does not currently provide outreach support to Beerwah. NA meetings are offered at Maleny, Caloundra, Maroochydore, and Caboolture. A time limited residential rehabilitation program is currently available at Nambour, for people with drug and alcohol related issues.

f) Community Care Services: Glasshouse Country residents (aged under 65 or over 50 if Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) are eligible to access a range of these services such as: Meals on Wheels, Domestic Assistance and Respite from a number of service providers, most of whom are non-locally based.

g) Public transport: The main form of public transport is provided by Queensland Rail on the Brisbane to Nambour line. Translink offers limited bus services, which duplicates the rail line. A TransLink service provides limited access between Beerwah, Landsborough and Maleny. Council taxis offer transport from satellite areas to Beerwah, once a week.

A study of transport scenarios clearly demonstrating the lengthy travel time and cost associated with accessing services on the Coast from the southern Hinterland is attached in Appendix 3.

h) Services for families and carers: Residents at the southern end of the Hinterland can access emergency Carer Respite through Suncare Commonwealth Respite services. Suncare also provides counselling services to carers as well as support groups. Carers Australia (QLD) provides counselling and carer support groups.

Actual example 3:A gentleman living in Glasshouse Mountains wanted to access the Kilcoy Peer Support Group. He was going to be moving to Kilcoy in several months and wanted to start making connections in his new community. His home care provider would not provide transport to Kilcoy because it was outside of their funding boundary. The SF made multiple enquiries to various home care providers (both services funded for the Sunshine Coast area and services funded for neighbouring areas) and none would provide this service, all citing funding boundaries as this issue.


3.1 Action Plan

This Action Plan was informed by Stage 1 research, written with the OTACM Steering Committee and is aligned with the 4 priority areas of the QSPAP (2015 – 2017):

1. Stronger community awareness and capacity

2. Improved service system responses and capacity

3. Focused support for vulnerable groups

4. A stronger more accessible evidence base to drive continuous improvement

3.1.1 Action Plan progress to date

The Our Towns and Communities Matter project Action Plan was ratified in mid-July by the PIR Partnership Council. Despite the relatively short time frame, significant progress has been made by the OTACM steering committee and project team in implementing many objectives outlined in the plan.

Please refer to the Action Plan progress to date table (Appendix 4), accurate to 31 August 2016, which was the formal completion date for the project.

There were four key areas of achievement: Structures and governance, community capacity building, working relationships and a World Suicide Prevention Day event.

Structures and governance

A Hinterland Strategic Reference Group (HSRG) is being formed and will assume responsibility for implementing the Action Plan post August 2016. (See draft Terms of Reference and Partnership Agreement in Appendices 5 and 6).

The purpose of the HSRG will be to provide strategic direction, leadership and advocacy for service provision in the southern Hinterland. The HSRG will support working groups to undertake projects and address needs identified in the OTACM project.

Working groups have been initiated for Glasshouse Country, Maleny and Kenilworth – the aim of which is to deliver at least one of the Action Plan projects within one year. At the time of writing the Glasshouse Country, Maleny and Kennilworth groups have had one meeting. (See Terms of Reference in (Appendix 7)

Community capacity building – training

Further notable achievements to date include either ASIST or SafeTALK training delivered to over 50 community members from diverse backgrounds across the study area.

ASIST Training – Gympie June 28 & 29

ASIST Training – Maleny August 11 & 12

SafeTALK Training – Maleny August 24

Stage 2


What is ASIST? ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is a two day workshop open to people 16 years and older. It is suitable for professionals and the general public. At these workshops, participants learn to: recognise people at risk of suicide; talk to them, hear their stories, and understand their situations, then help them stay safe with a life-affirming intervention.

Two participants in training posted the following on their personal Facebook walls offering their new skills to their communities:

“ Thank you Care Connect/Partners in Recovery for sponsoring me to attend the two day ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) in Maleny last Thursday and Friday. A very well designed skills development course, delivered by people who knew what they were talking about, and with great participants. For once role play actually worked as a skill development method. Training doesn’t get any better than that! I am a much better prepared mental health First Aider now.”

“ Thursday and Friday were very full on attending an ASIST workshop for Suicide Prevention. My dear friends I hope I never have to share this work with you but I want you to all know that if any of you ever have thoughts of Suicide or are feeling that life is getting too hard, I am here for you and I hope I could help. I KNOW I WILL TRY MY HARDEST. Love and Healing to you all and here are 2 phone numbers that may help …”

What is SafeTALK training? This training aims for participants to feel more confident asking people about suicide, connecting them with life-saving resources, and keeping them safe until those resources can take over. It is a half day workshop in which people learn to: Identify people who may have thoughts of suicide; Ask them directly about the possibility of suicide, then connect them with life-saving resources.

Quote from SafeTALK participants:

“ It opened a space for me to realise how comfortable (or uncomfortable) I was talking about the issue. It simplified the issue into something more approachable.”

“ SafeTALK has enabled me to feel comfortable supporting someone and helping them to link with the correct support available. I won’t feel afraid now to reach out and ask questions if I think there is something wrong.”

Working Relationships

Throughout the project multiple layers of relationships were formed. These include:

• Roses in the Ocean – project steering committee members attended a workshop with Roses in the Ocean about how to host a World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) event. This resulted in ongoing communication with Roses in the Ocean in our preparation for hosting


a WSPD event in Maleny and also with the Lived Experience Speakers Bureau.

• StandBy Response Service – consulted with this organisation about the ethical practice underpinning story gathering. They attended every forum and also the WSPD event to support participants who were potentially triggered by the subject.

• Suicide Prevention Australia provided advice on an ongoing basis.

• Mates in Construction – presented to the project steering committee and offered ongoing support.

• Steering committee – deepening professional relationships through fortnightly meetings, preparing the project proposal, decision making, project management and working collaboratively on tasks and events. This will continue post project.

• Local working groups – people coming together in Maleny, Kenilworth and Beerwah to work together for 12 months to deliver projects in their own communities.

World Suicide Prevention Day eventAn inaugural WSPD event was held in Maleny to build on the momentum created by the project, in particular the community forums. A local author and member of the Lived Experience Speakers Bureau shared her new work, From Grief to Gratitude and she was supported by two other speakers. There was a short ceremony which created space for people to remember loved ones.

There was significant publicity prior to the event in local media including radio and social media and the group has an ongoing commitment for similar events (see Appendix 8). Three commemorative trees were planted at the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre to mark the occasion.


Conclusions

4.0 ConclusionsThe Our Towns and Communities Matter project was an attempt to nurture and strengthen the inherent social capital within the Maleny, Beerwah and Kenilworth communities, to equip community members with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and achieve better mental health, well-being, community connectedness and resilience. This is necessary so that informal support can be sustained in an environment where the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is somewhat neglected in terms of funded and delivered human services and programs.

Maleny, Beerwah and Kenilworth are all significantly affected by a range of social, financial and environmental factors such as social and geographic isolation. This is exacerbated by poor telecommunications and transport, limited employment and/or education opportunities, economic hardship and uncertainty, typically associated with more remotely located communities. In addition, the residents of Kenilworth and Beerwah consider that they are further disadvantaged by the fact that they do not have a community centre or hub – though it should be noted that in Beerwah there are several community halls and meeting spaces.

Like more remote communities, this means that residents of these communities are less likely to receive adequate and timely treatment or support. These communities also experience significant issues when trying to access a specific mental health emergency and/or crisis response at times of high vulnerability or suicide risk. This not only compounds the level of suicide risk in these communities, but also impacts most on continuity of care and support, factors considered essential during these critical times.

Despite the commonality of issues and risk factors, each of the three townships also has a unique social and geographic context, and a consequent set of issues, that distinguishes them from the each other. For example:

Maleny – affordable housing is a growing issue with the gentrification of Maleny. This has pushed a lot of people out to the fringes, which isolates people geographically and socially even further. Recent loss of The UpFront Club, one of the most frequently used community gathering places, has impacted on community cohesion and capacity to support each other.

Beerwah – is the largest Hinterland township, with a rapidly growing population. Although located within the Sunshine Coast LGA, Beerwah residents have always identified and continue to identify with Caboolture and with the other railway towns of Beerburrum, Glass House Mountains and Landsborough more so than they do with Maleny and Kenilworth. It considers itself to be under-serviced, under-resourced and ignored.

Kenilworth – has a significantly smaller population than the other two communities. It is lacking in the most basic services considered necessary to sustain a rural community. Kenilworth has lost essential services including the General Practitioner.

Despite these issues and obstacles, each community demonstrates considerable social capital. This constitutes a significant protective factor and supports risk minimisation.

For example, there is:


• a strong sense of community identity and pride

• a strong interest and willingness amongst each community to find better ways to stay strong as a community, and to find better ways of looking out for and looking after its most vulnerable members

• an established track record of community members supporting each other, particularly in the absence of formal services

In summary, community engagement and capacity building has strengthened three Hinterland communities to support vulnerable people. The working group framework and the establishment of the Hinterland Strategic Reference Group will contribute to sustaining these initiatives, collaboration and future planning. However, it must be emphasised that informal support AND Hinterland dedicated human services and programs are necessary for prevention, treatment and continuing care.


Recommendations

Recommendations

1. Providers funded to service the Hinterland to work collaboratively through the HSRG to address gaps identified in Our Towns and Community Matters project

2. HSRG to develop a Hinterland model of practice to include deep listening; assertive engagement with vulnerable people; outreach; capacity building; suicide prevention; welcoming, safe and responsive spaces for all

3. Dadirri training to be delivered with all HSRG and working group members, to promote cross cultural understanding and connection to self, community and the land

4. Working groups to give feedback and seek input from their communities annually and be sub groups of the HSRG – sense of belonging, direction, liaison, support

5. Copy of the Our Towns and Communities Matter project report to be forwarded with covering letter for the information of the Sunshine Coast Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategic Collaborative and suicide prevention working group

6. HSRG to address the limitations of this project – include next steps for seeking input from other towns and communities in the Hinterland – for example Mooloolah and Conondale (including Crystal Waters Eco Village)

7. Working groups and HSRG to consider high risk groups – men, people from LGBTI population, carers, older people and youth – in planning and selection of projects or activities

8. Project Steering Committee to present to key influencers and decision makers in PHN and SCHS, with emphasis on the cross boundary issues and service gaps in the southern Hinterland – mutual discovery conversation and discuss next steps

9. Project Steering Committee to present to key influencers and decision makers in PHN with emphasis on provision of GP and other human services in Kenilworth

10. HSRG to advocate with funding bodies and funded organisations to ensure that resources (part FTEs) are specifically allocated to, and located in, the Hinterland.

11. Potential providers will be encouraged to consult with communities in the Hinterland before they apply for funding or plan to deliver programs

12. HSRG to consider feedback and evaluation from ASIST and SafeTALK training and decide if Emotional CPR (e-CPR) is a next step in community capacity building

13. Obtain 2014 Hinterland suicide statistics from the National Coronial Information System

14. Examine and incorporate other evidenced based suicide prevention systems and approaches to facilitate continuous improvement11

11 For example – Black Dog Institute, An Evidenced-based Systems approach to Suicide Prevention, 2016; and Wesley LifeForce (Suicide Prevention Services)


Appendices

Appendix 1 Continuum of best practice suicide prevention activities as outlined in the Life Framework ...................................................................................................33

Appendix 2 Flyer – Community Forums ...........................................................................................34

Appendix 3 Transport Study ............................................................................................................35

Appendix 4 Action Plan ...................................................................................................................39

Appendix 5 Hinterland Strategic Reference Group (HSRG) Terms of Reference ...........................43

Appendix 6 Partnership Agreement ................................................................................................45

Appendix 7 Terms of Reference – Hinterland Suicide Prevention Working Groups .......................47

Appendix 8 WSPD flyer ....................................................................................................................49

Appendix 9 Glossary of Terms ........................................................................................................50


Continuum of best practice suicide prevention activities as outlined in the Life Framework 11

Universal intervention

Whole of population interventions to reduce the means of suicide, to reduce the negative stigma of suicide and to improve the resilience of individuals, families and communities

Applies to everyone: involves individuals, families, local councils, community organisations, workplaces, schools, sporting clubs

Selective intervention

Interventions for identified at-risk groups to build resilience, strength and capacity as well as an environment that promotes self-help and access to support

For groups at risk: involves individuals, families, local councils, GPs, schools, workplaces, sporting clubs

Indicated intervention

Identification, intervention and support for people showing signs of or at risk of suicide

For individuals at high risk: involves families, GPs, police, specialists, workplaces, schools

Direction

Being alert to warning signs and potential tipping points, and providing support and care

When vulnerability is high: involves families, GPs, helplines, emergency services, teachers

Accessing support

Finding and accessing early care and support when treatment and specialised care is needed

Involves GPs, psychologists, allied health, Aboriginal health workers, police, emergency departments

Standard treatment

Integrated professional treatment, management and recovery when needed

Involves psychiatrists, psychologists, GPs, Aboriginal health workers, allied health

Longer term treatment and support

Ongoing integrated care that consolidates recovery and reduces the risk of adverse health effects

Involves pscychiatrists, psychologists, GPs, allied mental health, families, friends, community organisations

Ongoing care and support

Building strength, resiliences and coping strategies, as well as an environment that supports help-seeking

Involves GPs, allied health, community organisations, local service providers, families, friends

Appendix 1

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11 Suicide Prevention in Queensland: Continuing the Conversation, June 2015 Queensland Mental Health Commission


Appendix 2 Flyer – Community Forums


From Glass House Mountains to Caloundra Centrelink Travel time: Roughly 1 hour 40 minutes Total walking: 1526m. NOTE: All journeys are one way only.

Appendix 3 Transport Study

Fare information: This is a 5 zone journey, travelling in zones 11–15Ticket Type Price

go card adult$5.96

$4.76 (off peak)

go card concession$2.98

$2.38 (off peak)Single paper adult $8.60Single paper concession $4.30

Scenario: An unemployed single mother with a young son and a teenage daughter, lives at Sahara Road, Glass House Mountains. The family relies on public transport to access services. They have to attend an appointment with Caloundra Centrelink at 12pm. This is a 5 zone journey from Glass House Mountains to Caloundra. The cost of this journey one way is $7.14 with a go card or $12.90 with a paper ticket. They leave their house around 9:50 am and walk approximately 20 minutes or more to Glass House Mountains Station with a pram. They catch bus 649 at 10:15am and get off the bus at Landsborough Station 10:32am. Then they have to catch bus 605 at 10:58am from Landsborough station to Caloundra station around 11:28am. Following that they have to walk approximately 10 minutes to Caloundra Centrelink. The whole journey takes them approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes from their house to the services that are required for their needs.

1. Walk 1103m to the Glass House Mountains station

3. Catch bus 605 from Landsborough station to Palm Village Caravan Park, Little Mountain

2. Catch bus 649 from Glass House Mountains station to Landsborough station

4. Walk about 5 to 10 minutes to Centrelink


From Glass House Mountains to Child and Youth Mental Health Services (Maroochydore) Option 1: Travel Time: 1 hour 35 minutes Total walking: 1404m

Scenario: An unemployed single mother with a young son and a teenage daughter, lives at Sahara Road, Glass House Mountains. The family relies on public transport to access services. They have to attend an appointment with Child and Youth Mental Health Services in Maroochydore at 12pm. This is a 7 zone journey from the Glass House Mountains to Maroochydore, and in total it will cost $8.71 with go card or $15.70 with paper ticket for one way journey. They catch BRGY train at 10:38 a.m. from the Glass House Mountains station and get off the train at Landsborough station around 10:50 a.m. They then catch bus 615 at 10:59 a.m. to Maroochydore station which arrives almost 1 hour later at 11:44 am. Following that they will walk approximately 10 to 15 minutes to Child and Youth Mental Health Services. The whole journey takes them approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes.



go card adult$7.27

$4.76 (off peak)



1. Walk 1103m to Glasshouse Mountains station, platform 2 2. Catch train BRGY Brisbane City to Gympie

North from Glasshouse Mountains station, to Landsborough station, platform 1 Travel time: about 12 minutes

3. Catch bus from Landsborough station to Maroochydore station Travel time: about 45 minutes

4. Walk 358m from Maroochydore station, platform 2 to 11 Beach Rd, Maroochydore


From Glass House Mountains to Child and Youth Mental Health Services (Maroochydore) Option 2: Travel time: 1 hour 46 minutes Total walking: 1575m


Scenario: An unemployed single mother with a young son and a teenage daughter, lives at Sahara Road, Glass House Mountains. The family relies on public transport to access services. They have to attend an appointment with Child and Youth Mental Health Services in Maroochydore at 12pm. This is a 7 zone journey from the Glass House Mountains to Maroochydore, and in total it will cost $8.71 with go card or $15.70 with paper ticket for a one way journey. They catch SPNA train at 9:43 a.m. from the Glass House Mountains station that arrives at Nambour Station at 10:22 a.m. They take bus 610 at 10:30 a.m. to Maroochydore station and arrive at 11:05a.m. They walk approximately 10 to 15 minutes to Child and Youth Mental Health Services. The whole journey takes them approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes from their house to the services that are required for their needs.

1. Walk 1103m to Glass House Mountains station, platform 2

3. Catch bus 610 from Nambour station to Maroochydore station, platform 1 Travel time: about 35 minutes

2. Catch train SPNA from Glass House Mountains station, platform 2 to Nambour station, platform 1

4. Walk 437m from Maroochydore station, platform 1, to 11 Beach Rd


From Glass House Mountains to Caboolture Child & Youth Mental Health Service Travel Time: 42 minutes Total walking: 1605mScenario: An unemployed single mother with a young son and a teenage daughter, lives at Sahara Road, Glass House Mountains. The family relies on public transport to access services. They have to attend an appointment with Child and Youth Mental Health Services in Caboolture at 12pm. The journey from Glass House Mountains to Caboolture will cost $6.28 with a go card or $11.20 with paper ticket. They catch IPSW train at 11:24 a.m. from the Glass House Mountains station and arrive at Caboolture Station at 11:43 a.m. They then walk approximately 5 to 10 minutes to Child and Youth Mental Health Services. The whole journey takes them approximately 42 minutes.



go card adult$5.24

$4.19 (off peak)



2. Catch train IPSW Nambour to Brisbane City from Glass House Mountains station, platform 1 to Caboolture station, platform 2 Travel time: about 19 minutes

1. Walk 1103m to Glasshouse Mountains station, platform 2

3. Walk 1346m from Caboolture station, platform 2, Caboolture to King St, Caboolture

In comparing the different travel options, it is by far, much better for the family to access services in Caboolture, due to cost, travel time and the number of transfers necessary.


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info

rmat

ion

In p

rogr

ess.

Info

rmat

ion

is b

eing

gat

here

d –

flow

cha

rt, e

mer

genc

y nu

mbe

rs, a

nd b

roch

ures

, fac

t she

ets

- dis

tribu

tion

to S

afeT

ALK

parti

cipa

nts,

com

mun

ity c

entre

vol

unte

ers,

libr

arie

s.

Cal

ound

ra C

omm

unity

Cen

tre –

so

cial

wor

k st

uden

t uni

t

1.4

Hol

d a

Wor

ld S

uici

de

Prev

entio

n D

ay fu

nctio

nA

ctio

ned.

Wor

ld S

uici

de P

reve

ntio

n D

ay fu

nctio

n he

ld a

t Mal

eny

9.9.

2016

- fe

atur

ing

gues

t spe

aker

s w

ith a

live

d ex

perie

nce

of s

uici

de;

a co

llabo

rativ

e ap

proa

ch w

ith o

ther

ser

vice

s - R

oses

in th

e O

cean

and

St

andb

y Re

spon

se S

ervi

ce a

lso

atte

nded

.

No

furth

er a

ctio

n in

201

6

1.5

Arra

nge

for H

inte

rland

vo

lunt

eers

with

a li

ved

expe

rienc

e to

be

deve

lope

d an

d su

ppor

ted

to h

ave

a vo

ice

and

cont

ribut

e to

com

mun

ity

Suic

ide

Prev

entio

n Sp

eake

rs’ B

urea

u tra

inin

g (R

oses

in th

e O

cean

. Aw

aitin

g su

ffici

ent n

umbe

rs to

pro

ceed

with

the

train

ing.

HRS

G n

omin

ate

a co

ntac

t of

ficer

to li

aise

with

Ros

es in

th

e O

cean



Prio

rity

2: I

mpr

ove

serv

ice

syst

em re

spon

ses

and

capa

city

to e

nsur

e pe

ople

at r

isk,

incl

udin

g th

ose

who

hav

e at

tem

pted

sui

cide

, get

the

supp

ort t

hey

need

, w

hen

and

whe

re th

ey n

eed

it

Act

ion/

activ

ities

Prog

ress

to d

ate

Furt

her a

ctio

nC

omm

ents

2.1

Set u

p ov

erar

chin

g

Hin

terla

nd S

trate

gic

Refe

renc

e G

roup

In p

rogr

ess.

Con

tact

has

occ

urre

d w

ith h

ost o

rgan

izat

ion

Blac

kall

Rang

e C

are

Gro

up.

Dra

ft te

rms

of re

fere

nce,

Par

tner

ship

Agr

eem

ent,

mee

ting

note

s te

mpl

ate

and

invi

tatio

n to

par

ticip

ants

pre

pare

d.Po

wer p

oint

pre

sent

atio

n pr

epar

ed fo

r the

firs

t mee

ting

in N

ovem

ber 2

016.

HSR

G to

ratif

y To

R an

d Pa

rtner

ship

Agr

eem

ent

2.2

Advo

cate

for G

P pr

esen

ce in

Ken

ilwor

th

In p

rogr

ess.

Tw

o pr

esen

tatio

ns to

PIR

Par

tner

ship

Cou

ncil

in w

hich

this

is

sue

was

rais

ed.

Doc

umen

t in

final

pro

ject

repo

rtM

eet w

ith k

ey in

fluen

cers

at

Prim

ary

Hea

lth N

etw

ork

– di

scov

ery

sess

ion

and

next

st

eps

Prio

rity

3: T

o pr

ovid

e fo

cuse

d su

ppor

t for

vul

nera

ble

grou

ps to

add

ress

the

spec

ific

need

s of

gro

ups

and

com

mun

ities

exp

erie

ncin

g hi

gher

rate

s/gr

eate

r ris

k of

sui

cide

Act

ion/

activ

ities

Prog

ress

to d

ate

Furt

her a

ctio

nC

omm

ents

3.1

Prov

ide

furth

er

evid

ence

bas

ed tr

aini

ng

with

key

peo

ple

and

wor

king

gro

ups.

A ra

nge

of s

uici

de p

reve

ntio

n in

itiat

ives

hav

e be

en ro

lled

out i

n M

alen

y in

Aug

ust,

2016

. Th

is tr

aini

ng w

as a

vaila

ble

to c

omm

unity

mem

bers

fro

m e

ach

of th

e th

ree

com

mun

ities

. Con

sulta

tion

with

key

com

mun

ity

mem

bers

and

key

sta

keho

lder

age

ncie

s in

form

ed th

e se

lect

ion

of th

e tra

inin

g.

3.1.

1 eC

PR –

com

mun

ity

mem

bers

and

vol

unte

ers

On

hold

. One

day

Em

otio

nal C

PR (a

pub

lic h

ealth

pro

gram

des

igne

d to

te

ach

peop

le to

sup

port

each

oth

er th

roug

h an

em

otio

nal c

risis

) tra

inin

g ha

s be

en s

cope

d an

d co

sted

with

a v

iew

to a

futu

re ro

ll-ou

t, pe

ndin

g fe

edba

ck re

suc

cess

of o

ther

com

mun

ity tr

aini

ng in

itiat

ives

.

HSR

G to

eva

luat

e th

e su

cces

s of

cur

rent

sui

cide

pre

vent

ion

train

ing

and

to n

omin

ate

pers

on

resp

onsi

ble

for o

rgan

isin

g an

d co

ordi

natin

g eC

PR a

s ap

prop

riate

3.1.

2 Sa

feTA

LK +

brie

fing

on fa

ct s

heet

(flow

cha

rt an

d em

erge

ncy

num

bers

) –

com

mun

ity h

ub

volu

ntee

rs

Act

ione

d. O

ne S

afeT

ALK

even

t (su

ppor

t to

enab

le p

eopl

e to

bec

ome

mor

e al

ert t

o an

d ta

lk a

bout

the

poss

ibilit

y of

sui

cide

and

how

to p

reve

nt

it) w

as h

eld

on A

ugus

t 24,

201

6 fo

r 30

peop

le.

Big

inte

rest

and

resp

onse

to

this

eve

nt.

HSR

G to

eva

luat

e th

e su

cces

s of

Saf

eTAL

K an

d to

dec

ide

on

any

furth

er a

ctio

n as

nec

essa

ry

3.1.

3 AS

IST

– Ke

y st

aff

and

com

mun

ity m

embe

rsA

ctio

ned.

One

2 d

ay A

SIST

(App

lied

Suic

ide

Inte

rven

tion

Skills

Tra

inin

g)

has

occu

rred.

Tw

enty

thre

e at

tend

ees,

15

of w

hich

wer

e fu

nded

by

the

proj

ect.

Ful

l atte

ndan

ce a

nd g

ood

feed

back

.

HSR

G to

dec

ide

on a

ny fu

rther

ac

tion

as n

eces

sary



3.1.

4 Le

arni

ng to

M

anag

e Fe

ars

of S

uici

de

wor

ksho

p –

unpa

id c

arer

s –

fam

ily a

nd fr

iend

s

In p

rogr

ess.

To

date

, atte

mpt

s to

sou

rce

a pa

rtner

org

anis

atio

n, w

illing

to

faci

litat

e th

is w

orks

hop

have

pro

ven

unsu

cces

sful

.Re

fer m

atte

r to

HSR

G fo

r di

scus

sion

and

furth

er a

ctio

n

3.2

Wor

k w

ith lo

cal

neig

hbou

rhoo

d ce

ntre

s an

d co

mm

unity

hub

s to

su

ppor

t the

m w

ith th

eir

role

in th

eir c

omm

uniti

es

as p

lace

s of

con

nect

ion

and

wel

l bei

ng

In p

rogr

ess.

Thi

s is

sue

will

be o

ne o

f the

firs

t age

nda

item

s fo

r eac

h of

th

e Lo

cal W

orki

ng G

roup

s.Lo

cal W

orki

ng G

roup

s to

de

velo

p a

stra

tegy

to p

rogr

ess

Prio

rity

4: T

o bu

ild a

str

onge

r mor

e ac

cess

ible

evi

denc

e ba

se to

driv

e co

ntin

uous

impr

ovem

ent i

n re

sear

ch, p

olic

y, p

ract

ice

and

serv

ice

deliv

ery

Act

ion/

activ

ities

Prog

ress

to d

ate

Furt

her a

ctio

nC

omm

ents

4.1

Com

plet

e re

sear

ch

abou

t key

age

ncie

s fu

nded

to p

rovi

de

serv

ices

thro

ugh

who

le

Suns

hine

Coa

st R

egio

n

In p

rogr

ess.

Map

ping

of k

ey a

genc

ies

occu

rred.

A s

imila

r pro

cess

was

un

derta

ken

by th

e PH

N.

D

iscu

ss a

t HSR

G m

eetin

gs

4.2

Pres

ent e

vide

nce

of c

ross

bor

der i

ssue

s at

sou

ther

n en

d of

H

inte

rland

Com

plet

ed.

Map

ping

of c

ross

bor

der i

ssue

s w

as c

ompl

eted

. (S

ee 2

.3.2

of r

epor

t)

An a

dditi

onal

map

ping

of s

peci

fic tr

ansp

ort i

ssue

s w

as c

ompl

eted

(A

ppen

dix

3).

Proj

ect S

teer

ing

Com

mitt

ee

to p

rese

nt m

appi

ng o

f cro

ss

bord

er is

sues

in it

s en

tiret

y to

key

dec

isio

n m

aker

s in

th

e PH

N/H

SRG

/SC

MH

S, w

ith

a vi

ew to

add

ress

ing

cros

s bo

rder

issu

es

4.3

Advo

cate

for,

and

supp

ort,

the

prov

isio

n of

cr

itica

l inf

rast

ruct

ure

Awai

ting

actio

n.H

SRG

to d

evel

op a

stra

tegy

4.4

Gat

her 5

mor

e st

orie

s of

com

mun

ity re

spon

se

post

inci

dent

s of

sui

cide

fro

m p

eopl

e “o

nce

rem

oved

” to

info

rm

post

vent

ion

capa

city

bu

ildin

g

Act

ione

d. T

otal

of 1

1 st

orie

s ga

ther

ed.



Act

ion/

activ

ities

Prog

ress

to d

ate

Furt

her a

ctio

nC

omm

ents

4.5

Con

sult

furth

er w

ith

Keni

lwor

th c

omm

unity

ab

out t

he n

eeds

of

farm

ers

to c

onne

ct,

train

ing

and

loca

l co

mm

unity

Act

ione

d. C

omm

unity

con

sulta

tion

was

und

erta

ken

with

Ken

ilwor

th

loca

ls fr

om f

arm

ing,

em

erge

ncy

serv

ices

, loc

al c

omm

unity

mem

bers

in

clud

ing

Indi

geno

us p

eopl

e. T

his

cons

ulta

tive

prac

tice

will

cont

inue

th

roug

h th

e lo

cal W

orki

ng G

roup

.

No

furth

er a

ctio

n

4.6

Con

sult

furth

er w

ith

Hin

terla

nd A

borig

inal

an

d To

rres

Stra

it Is

land

er fa

milie

s, k

ey

orga

nisa

tions

and

fund

ing

bodi

es

In p

rogr

ess.

A th

ree

day

Dad

irri t

rain

ing

(bas

ed o

n tra

ditio

nal A

borig

inal

an

d To

rres

Stra

it Is

land

er c

ultu

ral a

nd s

pirit

ual h

ealin

g pr

actic

es)

has

been

sco

ped

and

cost

ed w

ith a

vie

w to

a fu

ture

roll-

out,

pend

ing

feed

back

re: s

ucce

ss o

f oth

er c

omm

unity

trai

ning

initi

ativ

es.

Refe

r to

Reco

mm

enda

tions

se

ctio

n

4.7

Invi

te s

peak

ers

to P

roje

ct S

teer

ing

Com

mitt

ee M

eetin

gs

Act

ione

d. A

spe

aker

from

“Mat

es In

Con

stru

ctio

n” p

rese

nted

at t

he

Augu

st P

roje

ct S

teer

ing

Com

mitt

ee.

Gue

st s

peak

ers

will

feat

ure

at th

e H

SRG

.

No

furth

er a

ctio

n

4.8

Con

side

r add

ition

al

repr

esen

tatio

n on

th

e Pr

ojec

t Ste

erin

g C

omm

ittee

In p

rogr

ess.

The

HSR

G w

ill as

sum

e th

e ro

le o

f ove

rsee

ing

the

impl

emen

tatio

n of

the

Actio

n Pl

an a

t the

end

of N

ovem

ber w

ill ha

ve a

br

oade

r mem

bers

hip

base

.

No

furth

er a

ctio

n

4.9

Seek

inpu

t fro

m

Hin

terla

nd L

GBT

I po

pula

tion

Ong

oing

.Re

fer t

o Re

com

men

datio

ns

sect

ion

4.10

Dev

elop

mod

el o

f pr

actic

e - D

eep

List

enin

g- A

sser

tive

enga

gem

ent

- Out

reac

h- C

apac

ity b

uild

ing

- Sui

cide

Pre

vent

ion

Awai

ting

actio

n.H

SRG

to p

rogr

ess

the

deve

lopm

ent o

f a m

odel

of

prac

tice

4.11

Gai

n ac

cess

to m

ost

rece

nt S

unsh

ine

Coa

st

Suic

ide

stat

istic

s

Ong

oing

.H

SRG

to o

btai

n up

date

d st

atis

tics


1. BackgroundOur Towns and Communities Matter project began in April 2016. During this time, Hinterland locals from Beerwah, Maleny, Kenilworth and surrounds attended community forums, shared stories and gave feedback about:

• Equipping community members in the Hinterland to provide better informal support for vulnerable people

• Determining the next steps in suicide prevention

The Our Towns and Communities Matter project was a collaboration of 3 community organisations: Care Connect, Maleny Neighbourhood Centre and Caloundra Community Centre. The issues and recommendations from the community engagement will be progressed by Working Groups across the Hinterland – preferably one action or project at a time.

2. Role/Purpose The purpose of the HSRG will be to provide strategic direction and leadership to ensure advocacy and representation for the whole Hinterland and its towns and communities. The HSRG will support sub-regional working groups to undertake projects and address needs identified through the Our Towns and Communities Matter project. The work will aim to increase wellbeing and protective factors and reduce risk factors in each community. The HSRG will support through advocacy and pooling resources. As part of developing strategic direction, the HSRG will develop a model of practice for the Hinterland which includes Deep Listening, Assertive engagement, Meaningful outreach, Capacity building/Community Development, Suicide Prevention and creating a wellcoming, safe and responsive space for all.

Key areas of focus for the HSRG include:

• Financial costs of rural service provision - difficult to embed local services in low population areas – use of creative collaboration to alleviate this issue

• Encouragement of collaboration between community centres and services – encouraging two way communication between communities and service providers – developing processes

• Use of technology to provide support and services

• Defining user friendly referral pathways

• After hours, collaborative opportunities

• Where possible, agencies will work directly with community working groups to complete actions in line with their service provision

• No agencies will be supported in funding applications for Hinterland projects without being a part of HSRG

3. Term This Terms of Reference are effective from (insert start date) and will be ongoing until terminated by agreement between the parties.

4. Membership The Hinterland Strategic Reference Group will comprise:

• Name, Title, Organisation

Appendix 5 Draft Hinterland Strategic Reference Group (HSRG) Terms of Reference




5. Roles and Responsibilities The Hinterland Strategic Reference Group is accountable for:

• fostering collaboration, working from a community development model

• providing strategic direction to the local working groups through a strategic planning process - developing deliverable action plans and supporting the community working groups to achieve desired actions

• monitoring and managing the factors outside the Group’s control that are critical to its success, and removing obstacles to the local working group’s successful delivery of action outcomes

• maintaining at all times the focus of the HSRG on the agreed scope, outcomes and model of practice

The membership of the HSRG will commit to:

• attending all scheduled quarterly HSRG meetings

• making meaningful contributions of resources to assist the delivery of actions

• wholeheartedly champion the partnership within and outside of the Hinterland

• share communications and information across all HSRG members

• make timely decisions and take action so as not to hold up the projects

• notifying members of the HSRG, as soon as practical, if any matter arises which may be deemed to affect the development of the Partnership or is a conflict of interest

• attendance at all meetings and if necessary nominate a proxy with appropriate responsibility to enable them to commit resources and make other decisions

Members of the group will expect:

• that advocacy for resources in the Hinterland will be focussed and kept separate to funding issues in the greater Sunshine Coast region

• that objectives set by the HSRG based on community consultation process will be actioned within the community by the working groups

• to be given reasonable time to make key decisions

• to be alerted to potential risks and issues that could impact the project, as they arise

• ongoing ‘health checks’ to verify the overall status and ‘health’ of the group, with mutual accountability for addressing issues identified

Appendix 5 Draft Hinterland Strategic Reference Group (HSRG) Terms of Reference


Appendix 6 Draft Partnership Agreement

Draft Partnership Agreement

Between

Hinterland Strategic Reference Group and

Org

I. INTENTThe intent of this agreement is to provide an agreement to each of the HSRG members. The purpose of the HSRG is to provide a framework for the establishment of collaborative and community development models of service provision in the Hinterland. The HSRG will provide purposeful resources and advocacy to community led projects in the Hinterland, and advocate for overarching needs of the Hinterland to Government and other funding bodies.

The objectives of the HSRG is to create a formal collaboration to deliver on:

• Identifying what services are currently available in the Hinterland

• Identify opportunities to collaborate and pool resources to address barriers to service provision

• Increasing service presence and marketing in the Hinterlands, to ensure

• support for actions that address needs identified as part of the Our Towns & Communities Matter project

II. PERIOD OF AGREEMENTThis agreement is effective from (insert start date) and will be ongoing until terminated by agreement between the parties.

III. GROUP MEMBERS ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESExpertise and experience.

Each group member warrants they have the expertise to carry out HSRG obligations.

Contribution of resourcesEach organization will commit to support the work of the HSRG and the local working groups through meaningful and purposeful contribution of resources, consistent with funding requirements.

Conflict of InterestHSRG members will not allow a situation to arise which places you or your organisation in a situation of conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest. If this does occur, you will declare to the Chair of the HSRG your Conflict of Interest.

Collaborative ApproachEach group member agrees to work in the spirit of collaboration and to invite input from the local working groups, to achieve the best outcomes for the Hinterland.


Appendix 6 Draft Partnership Agreement

EvaluationMembers will agree to participate in all necessary forms of evaluation. An evaluation report may be developed to reflect on the objectives of the HSRG, to identify what has been successful and where improvements to structure and performance can be made.

Media GuidelinesMedia releases require prior approval from individual organizations and are to be released to the media via the HSRG nominated media person.

VI. DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESSShould a party or parties become aware of a problem or dispute an attempt needs to be made to resolve the issue between individual parties in the first instance. If this strategy is unsuccessful then the party/parties should raise their concern with the relevant Chairperson. Then, if unresolved, an independent person will be approached to assist in working toward a resolution.

VII. EFFECTIVE DATE AND SIGNATUREThis agreement shall be in effect upon the signature of HSRG Chair and (AGENCY’s) authorized official.

Signatures and dates

____________________________ ____________________________

on behalf of on behalf of

Ltd Inc

____________________________ ____________________________

Date Date

* Attach full list of Hinterland Strategic Reference Group member agencies


Background

The Our Towns and Communities Matter project began in April 2016. During this time, Hinterland locals from Beerwah, Maleny, Kenilworth and surrounds attended community forums and shared stories. Feedback was given regarding:

• equipping community members in the Hinterland to provide better informal support for vulnerable people; and

• determining the next steps in suicide prevention.

The Our Towns and Communities Matter project was a collaboration of 3 community organisations: Care Connect, Maleny Neighbourhood Centre and Caloundra Community Centre – Hinterland Community Development program

Working Groups

Working Groups will meet in 3 areas of the Hinterland - Kenilworth, Maleny and Glasshouse Country. These Working Groups will help inform an overarching ‘Hinterland Strategic Reference Group’ whose primary focus is advocacy and service provision in the Hinterland.

Purpose

The Working Groups’ purpose is to consider the issues identified through the community engagement process and to progress one/two of these projects over a 12 month period. The work will aim to reduce risk and increase protective factors in each community such as stronger communities, capacity building for individuals and service accessibility.

Membership

• Motivated community members who wish to support projects in their community.

• A small representation may be service providers.

• Other stakeholders with an interest in the Workings Group’s focus.

Each group will comprise up to 10 members with flexibility to accept new members over time and invite guests along.

Participation

• Commitment to membership in a Working Group is preferably for 12 months.

• Aim to attend all meetings and forward an apology if unable to attend.

• Nominate key members (2-3) to attend and inform the Hinterland Strategic Reference Group (quarterly)

• Take turns at chairing, minute taking and administrative tasks for sharing and development purposes

• Support local events that contribute to connection, well being, community awareness and reducing stigma

• Confirm a quorum of four members is required for a meeting to occur

• Consider attending free training if offered for example ASSIST, SafeTALK or Emotional CPR.

Appendix 7 Terms of Reference – Hinterland Suicide Prevention Working Groups


Group Guidelines

• Respect for others and their opinions

• Listen deeply

• Constructive, topic focused conversation

• Respect for agenda items and time frames

• Blue sky thinking (all ideas are good ideas) when brainstorming

• Deal with matters of difference within, not outside, the group

• One person talking at a time.

Meeting Schedule

• Meetings will be monthly and held locally

• The aim is for Working Groups to commence in September 2016

• Meeting notes are kept to enable an understanding of how decisions and outcomes were made

• Notes of the previous meeting and agenda are distributed to members at least one week before the next meeting.

• A member of ‘Our Towns and Communities Matter project’ Steering Committee will attend the meetings to assist the Working Group

Conflict Resolution Process

Following reasonable attempts to resolve any dispute or disagreement within the group, any member of the group can call for external mediation.

Appendix 7 Terms of Reference – Hinterland Suicide Prevention Working Groups


Appendix 8 WSPD flyer

W O R L D S U I C I D EP R E V E N T I O N D A Y

1 0 : 0 0 A M - 1 2 N O O NT E S C H P A R K , C O R A L S T M A L E N Y

F R I D A Y 9 S E P T E M B E R

.Guest speakers include

local author Soraya Saraswati who willspeak about her new book

A COMMUNITY EVENT - ALL WELCOME

Acknowledgement of Country withAunty Beverly Hand


Appendix 9 Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms

ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

CCC Caloundra Community Centre

HSRG Hinterland Strategic Reference Group

LGA Local Government Area

LGBTI Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex

LIFE Living is for Everyone

GP General Practitioner

MNC Maleny Neighbourhood Centre

NSPS National Suicide prevention Strategy

OTACM Our Towns and Communities Matter

PHN Primary Health Network

PHaMS Personal Helpers and Mentors program

PIR Partners in Recovery

QAS Queensland Ambulance Service

QSPAP Queensland Suicide Prevention Action Plan

SCHS Sunshine Coast Health Service

SCOPE Suncoast Cooloola Outreach Prevention and Education

SCMHS Sunshine Coast Mental Health Service

WSPD World Suicide Prevention Day


Notes


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