Suicide Prevention - Key Tasks

Implementation of the suicide prevention plan for Nelson Marlborough

1. An Annual Plan has been developed and approved by the Ministry of Health for implementation in the first year from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011. The Annual Plan has four key areas of action:

• Service Improvement
• Workforce Development
• Communication
• Programme Development

2. Acting as a liaison point for Nelson Marlborough on local and national suicide prevention information and policies; and Providing a local contact point for external providers and the Ministry of Health.

3. The SPC can assist with the sourcing and provision of appropriate information and resources either directly or through networks. If you have any questions or seek support related to serious self-harm, suicidal behaviour or prevention the SPC may be able to help.

Service Improvement:

Improving the supports and services that are available for people experiencing mental disorders associated with suicidal behaviour, and for those who make non-fatal suicide attempts, are two of the seven goals of the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy.  As such, a number of activities in the district action plan are aimed at improving service delivery and referral pathways.

Workforce Development / Suicide Prevention Training:

While a complex social issue, suicide is preventable and a trained workforce can play an important role in identifying those who may be at risk and providing supportive care to assist them and their families through the crisis time.  Providing training, information and advice is therefore a key part of the suicide prevention action plan.

What we want to achieve:

A confident and competent workforce that is comfortable in dealing with suicidality.
Proactive agencies that effectively and safely respond to suicidality in their clients and the community.
We can help to achieve this through:

• Provision of up-to-date and evidence-based information
• Opportunities for skill development
• Advice and support to agencies

Communication:

Providing up to date accurate information to a range of sectors is an important aspect of the action plan that aligns with goal seven of the New Zealand Strategy.  This includes the information on this website as well as providing hard-copy information to agencies and carers, updates to various forums, and liaising with media.

Programme development:

Currently there are two programmes being developed through the implementation of the district action plan which are the development of a Wellbeing Toolkit and a Bereaved by Suicide Support Programme.

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