More than 60 people recently came together in Kiama as part of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative meeting with Black Dog Institute.
The meeting kicked off with presentations from the Collaborative and South Coast Aboriginal Medical Service on some of the work currently being undertaken in the region.
Rachel Green, Director of Lifespan at Black Dog Institute, then provided an update on the LifeSpan project. Developed by researchers at Black Dog Institute and the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention (CRESP), Lifespan is an evidence-based 'systems approach' that involves the simultaneous implementation of nine strategies proven to reduce suicide. It is expected to reduce suicide deaths by 20% and suicide attempts by 30%.
Lifespan will be implemented in the Illawarra Shoalhaven from February 2017 as part of the work to be undertaken by the Collaborative.