SANE Australia to trial new suicide prevention resource in Brisbane North PHN area

The suicide rate in a region north of Brisbane is almost double the national average – it is one of two places in Australia chosen to trial a new suicide prevention program. See the statistics for your region.

The suicide rate in the Brisbane North Primary Health Network catchment is above par, with the rate of suicide in some suburbs almost double the national average.

It is one of two regions, the only in Queensland, chosen by SANE Australia to trial its new You Are Not Alone online resource.

The resource is targeted at people caring for those that have attempted suicide.

Brisbane North PHN covers the Moreton Bay region, parts of Brisbane and parts of the Somerset region.

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Mortality Books revealed Redcliffe’s suicide rate between 2013 and 2017 was 22.87 per 100,000 people – almost double the national average of 12.07.

The rate in Strathpine was 17.5. In Caboolture it was 17.4.

This is in comparison to suburbs in the Brisbane West region, where the rate in Sherwood-Indooroopilly is 8.2 and 9.7 in The Gap-Enoggera.

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Jo Buchanan’s nephew took his own life. Her own son has attempted to take his life on several occasions.

Ms Buchanan, who is a SANE peer ambassador, said this new resource would help remind people they are not alone.

“I remember feeling so isolated, so alone and with no idea of where or who I could turn to for support and information,” she said.

“I believe that caring for the carers is very important and this website will help people take the next step and understand that they are not alone.”

Executive Manager for mental health, alcohol and other drugs programs at Brisbane North PHN Paul Martin said a number of socio economic factors could contribute to the region’s above average rate of suicides.

Mr Martin said when it comes to suicide prevention a wholistic approach was needed.

“Support for carers is one element, it is not going to solve the problem on its own,” Mr Martin said.

He said combining this resource with the other services offered by Brisbane North PHN, such as subsidised psychologist visits, The Way Back program and a trial targeting at risk groups, was a step in the right direction.

“We know that through this combined effort that this can lead to a 20 per cent reduction in suicide attempts and deaths by suicide,” Mr Martin said.

SANE Australia said it had chosen to roll out its new program with the help of Brisbane North PHN based on its community readiness.

“This region has established local suicide prevention action planning groups and co-ordination within their local services to respond to people caring for others during a suicidal crisis,” a SANE Australia spokesman said.

The You Are Not Alone website aims to provide information and tools to carers throughout the stages of supporting someone who has attempted suicide or who is at risk of doing so.

SANE Australia CEO Jack Heath.

SANE Australia CEO Jack Heath says this online tool is especially relevant in this time of uncertainty due to COVID-19.

“There is a real risk of increased suicide attempts due to deteriorating economic circumstances and resources to support carers will be more important than ever, no matter how long they’ve been caring for someone,” Mr Heath said.

“When someone close to you has suicidal thoughts or attempts suicide, it can be hard to respond to their needs while also looking after yourself. The You Are Not Alone website contains information to support this mostly unacknowledged support system of caregivers through a hugely difficult time.”

It is not the first time the region has been chosen to trial a suicide prevention program.

In 2018 the Brisbane North Primary Health Network (PHN) was given $800,000 of federal funding to launch beyondblue’s The Way Back program at Redcliffe Hospital.

This program offers personalised support to people discharged from Redcliffe Hospital following a suicide attempt.

Visit sane.org/you-are-not-alone for more information. #YouAreNotAlone

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Suicide rate per 100,000 people (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Mortality Books 2013-2017 SA3 areas)

■ Narangba – Burpengary: 14.10

■ Sandgate: 15.67

■ Caboolture: 17.41

■ Strathpine: 17.50

■ Brisbane Inner: 19.69

■ Redcliffe: 22.87

■ Sherwood-Indooroopilly: 8.2

■ The Gap – Enoggera: 9.7

■ Cleveland – Stradbroke: 11.2

■ Wynnum-Manly: 11.5

■ Bald Hills-Everton Park: 11.3

■ Chermside: 13.5

■ Nundah: 12.6

■ Sandgate: 15.7

■ Carindale: 11.4

■ Holland Park-Yeronga: 14

■ Mt Gravatt: 10.1

■ Nathan: 14.6

■ Rocklea- Acacia Ride: 10.5

■ Sunnybank: 7.9

■ Cairns North: 20.0

■ Cairns South: 18.2

■ Darling Downs (West): 22.2

■ Darling Downs (East): 14.8

■ Rockhampton: 17.8

■ Gladstone: 16.5

■ Coolangatta 13.7

■ Springfield – Redbank: 15.1

■ Loganlea-Carbrook: 14.3

■ The Hills District: 8.7

■ North Lakes: 7.8