Reducing the Incidence of Suicide in Kempsey

Health experts share their knowledge and hear from Macleay Valley residents about their challenges around preventing suicide

Last week (12 February 2019), North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) and the University of New England brought two internationally renowned experts together to share their knowledge with the Kempsey community on how to reduce the incidence of suicide.

Professor Eric D Caine and Professor Myfanwy Maple were joined by both health professionals and community members at the Slim Dusty Centre in South Kempsey. (PowerPoint presentations available on request.)

Last week’s event enabled Professors Caine and Maple to talk about proven ways to help prevent suicide. The professors were also keen to hear from local people about the particular challenges they face. They heard from community members and those on the ground dealing with people in distress who may be involved in a range of risk-taking behaviours. These include substance misuse, violence and other self-harming behaviours.

With the Kempsey community experiencing a number of suicides in recent times, this event was the first of a number of community-led approaches to address this important topic and to begin the process of healing in a population that is experiencing loss and grief.

Professor Caine told the meeting that common barriers to suicide prevention include:

• People intent on suicide often do not seek help.
• Seemingly ‘normal’ people kill themselves.
• First attempts often are fatal.
• So-called “risk factors” (such as mental disorders, social isolation, depression) are common but suicide is uncommon. Risk factors are NOT predictive in individuals and fail as warning signs of an attempt.

He stressed the need for a whole of community approach where the entire population is the target of prevention strategies. He explained that prevention can be achieved through promoting health and mental health and broadly reducing risk through elevating the mental health and wellbeing of everyone.

NCPHN’s Senior Manager, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Alcohol & Other Drugs, Liz Davis, said the gathering was a turning point for the community.

“At the event it was particularly pleasing to be part of discussions that identified enthusiasm and momentum around developing local solutions. It is clear there is strong support for community-led approaches that nurture and support mentally healthy communities.”

Professors Caine and Maple:

• shared strategies to reduce suicide that have worked both around the world and in Australia
• outlined the value of investing in a collaborative community prevention program to help reduce suicide risk
• talked about funding challenges and particular target groups, and
• presented a case study based in Armidale (Backtrack Boys)

This event was part of NCPHN’s work in the National Suicide Prevention Trial. As a participant in this trial, NCPHN worked to establish a local Suicide Prevention Steering Committee for the Kempsey area. This committee was formed to initiate and support local approaches involving various sections of the community. The committee also encourages strong local engagement and input into strategies designed to reduce the incidence the number of deaths suicide in the Kempsey region.

Local community members and organisations are encouraged to contact the coordinator of the Kempsey Suicide Prevention Plan to find out how you can contribute. Email Melissa Robinson on MRobinson@mvwlc.nsw.edu.au.

About the experts:

Professor Eric D Caine has been the Director of the USA Injury Control Research Centre for Suicide Prevention w since its inception in 2012. The primary focus of his work is public health, community, and health system approaches to preventing suicide, suicide attempts, and risk-related adverse outcomes by addressing ‘upstream’ risk and protective factors. Prof Caine is visiting Australia to deliver the Key Note Presentation at the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research on Suicide Prevention in Australia. Northern NSW was the only region Prof Caine visited during his brief visit to Australia.

Professor Myfanwy Maple is Professor of Social Work in the School of Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of New England in Armidale, NSW. For more than 15 years, her research has focused on trauma and loss, with a particular emphasis on understanding risk and resilience following exposure to suicide. A focus on lived experience underlies all of Prof Maple’s work. She is currently chair of the International Association for Suicide Prevention special interest group on suicide bereavement and post-suicide intervention and was a member-elected Director of Suicide Prevention Australia (2013-2018).