This resource was developed for aftercare service providers, their workforce and key partners to provide guidance on the delivery of universal aftercare services within NSW.
Access to universal aftercare is a key focus of the NSW Health Strategic Framework for Suicide Prevention in NSW 2022–2027.
The need for a universal aftercare system is recognised by the National Suicide Prevention Advisor Final Advice and the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health. Following these recommendations, state, territory and Commonwealth governments have committed to implementing a universal aftercare system through bilateral funding schedules of the National Agreement on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
NSW aftercare services will be expanded and new services established with the transition to a universal aftercare system. This will extend aftercare referral pathways across NSW.
This service delivery model provides statewide guidance on the delivery of universal aftercare services within NSW.
What is universal aftercare?
Aftercare services are non-clinical services that provide rapid and assertive follow up of people after they have experienced a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis. Aftercare is a service for people wanting support to address their drivers of suicidality and reduce their suicidal risk.
Universal aftercare is the provision of inclusive and responsive aftercare services to any person needing support, regardless of gender, age, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, disability, impairment and culture.
For priority populations at increased risk of suicide, and where service capacity allows, this may include providing early intervention to people with suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviours.
Developing this service delivery model
A service delivery model focuses on the broader governance of a service, and considers managerial involvement, local governance and partnerships. It is targeted at service providers; those who deliver care; and those involved at a broader stakeholder level.
A service delivery model differs from a model of care, which is a hands-on tool used by care providers to guide the day-to-day, localised delivery of services to consumers. This service delivery model provides overarching guidance, allowing for flexibility for various models of care, and does not replace current or future models of care.
This resource provides information about:
- effective and safe service delivery of aftercare services
- support for priority populations at an increased risk of suicide
- suggested governance structures and processes to support service delivery
- workforce development and support.
Guiding principles
This guidance is underpinned by four core principles, ensuring care is:
When using this service delivery model, apply these principles within services, the workforce and communities.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the following organisations and teams for their guidance, support and co-development of this resource.
Expert Working Group members
- Casey Naden, Orange Aboriginal Medical Service
- Fiona Shand, Black Dog Institute
- Jenna Bottrell, Mission Australia
- Katie McGill, Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD)
Project Management Group members
- Aimee Blackham, NSW Ministry of Health
- Aimee McNeill, Healthy North Coast Primary Health Network (PHN)
- Alicia Morgan, HealthWISE
- Amrita Dasvarma, representative with lived and living experience
- Andrea Ching, NSW Ministry of Health
- Anita McRae, Murrumbidgee PHN
- Bryan Hoolahan, NSW Ministry of Health
- Cameron Leiper, Far West LHD
- Chloe Wilson, ACON
- Corinne Henderson, Mental Health Coordinating Council
- Glenn Cotter, Healthy Communities Foundation Australia
- Jaci Smith, Grand Pacific Health
- Jaelea Skehan, Everymind
- Janelle Dufty, Murrumbidgee PHN
- Jay Gardener, WentWest Western Sydney PHN
- Jonathan Harms, Mental Health Carers NSW
- Lisa Merrison, Central and Eastern Sydney PHN
- Louise Dunne, ACON
- Sophie Hattch, representative with lived and living experience
- Stephanie Trainor, Suicide Prevention Australia
- Tanya Hague, HealthWISE
Organisations and groups
- Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing team, Agency for Clinical Innovation
- Aftercare providers in NSW
- Everymind
- Mental Health Branch – NSW Ministry of Health
- NSW Primary Health Network (PHN) groups:
- PHN Suicide Prevention Community of Practice
- NSW/ACT PHN Mental Health Network
- Roses in the Ocean