Building upon the success of Suicide Prevention: A Competency Framework for Workforce, Suicide Prevention Australia is proud to announce the launch of their innovative framework developed to enhance the capability of the clinical workforce in responding to people experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
Entitled “Suicide Prevention: A Competency Framework for the Health Sector,” the framework is informed by, and brings together representatives from the health sector to develop an evidence-informed Suicide Prevention Competency Framework specifically for the health sector.
The health workforce in Australia is diverse, large and covers a range of occupations. These include, psychiatrists, medical practitioners, surgeons and other medical specialists, nurses and midwives, dentists, allied health practitioners including Indigenous health workers and paramedics.
The Framework complements the work the health sector is already undertaking to create an environment that promotes wellbeing, mental health and supports employees. Mental health and wellbeing are valuable resources which can affect the health, employment, and social outcomes of their staff.
The six core competencies featured in the Framework include:
- Induction and Continuous Development – wraps around the entire Framework
- Knowledge
- Priority Populations
- Skills
- Collaborative Support
- Self-Care
The Framework serves as a valuable starting point for employers and staff in the health sector to consider what they need to promote wellbeing and intervene effectively to reduce distress and suicidal behaviour.
The Framework is well suited to health sector employees starting their careers and for more experienced workers who would like to further develop their skills. It is intended to be applied to the specific needs of the role and workforce conditions. It suggests the essential competencies for organisations and their staff to work safely and effectively to reduce suicidal behaviour.
Suicide Prevention Australia encourages workplaces in the health sector to apply the Framework to meet their specific needs. That is, the Framework provides a guide to workplace suicide prevention that is centred on continuous quality improvement.
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO, Nieves Murray said, “This Framework for the health sector promotes a compassionate, caring and collaborative focus to reduce suicide risk in the health sector. Our aim is to ensure that every person who needs support can access consistent, high-quality and a safe standard of care.”
Australian Psychological Society (APS) President, Dr Catriona Davis-McCabe said, “As a country we’ve come a long way in destigmatising suicide but there’s more that needs to be done. By working together, we can reduce suicides in communities and workplaces across Australia.”
Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), CEO, Cindy Smith said, “The AASW is a strong advocate for improving the competency of the health workforce to better engage with people experiencing suicidality. Everyone in the health sector has a role to play.
“As experts in holistic wellbeing, social workers have a strong professional understanding of the complexity, challenges and psychosocial factors which can underly suicidality. We need broad-based processes and capacity across health settings to recognise the signs of suicide risk and respond effectively.”
For more information about Suicide Prevention: A Competency Framework for the Health Sector visit: https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/competency-framework/
ENDS.
To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, phone 000 for emergency services.
Help to report about suicide safely is available online: Go to https://mindframe.org.au/
Media enquiries:
Tom Anderson 0409 718 271 or toma@suicidepreventionaust.org
Clare Kinsella 0427 689 689 or clarek@suicidepreventionaust.org
About Suicide Prevention Australia
Suicide Prevention Australia is the national peak body and we’ve been providing support for Australia’s suicide prevention sector for more than 30 years. We support and advocate for our members to drive continual improvement in suicide prevention policy, programs and services. Our reach is broad, including member organisations, governments, businesses, researchers, practitioners and those with lived experience. We are focused on an integrated approach to suicide prevention encompassing mental health, social, economic and community factors. We believe that through collaborative effort and shared purpose, we can achieve our vision of a world without suicide.
