Local community shares ideas to reduce alarming incidence of men’s suicide

Passionate, enthusiastic and innovative community members and services providers came together with SWSPHN recently to create design briefs for new local mental health services which could transform the way men at risk of suicide access supports.

Eighty-three participants attended our Men’s Proactive Suicide Prevention co-design sessions at Campbelltown and Mittagong on 3 and 4 February.

We’ll be developing and funding a range of new men’s suicide prevention initiatives over the coming years to reduce the alarming rate of male suicide.

The co-design sessions gave local people an opportunity to contribute to the development of local services.

Presentations from existing services which have already tailored programs towards men inspired participants early on in the sessions and helped spark crucial early conversations about the best practice approaches to men’s suicide prevention.

Consumers, carers and family members whose lives have been touched by suicide also spoke, reminding participants of the importance of tackling the significant mental health concern.

Our Mental Health Manager Christopher Jones received a positive response from participants.

“Participants said the sessions provided a tangible way to put forward their ideas and visions for change,” he said.

“They also said that through the creation of their own design brief, both individually and with like-minded people, they gained a sense that they are able to be part of a wider vision that influences how programs and services should be funded and made available in South Western Sydney.”

Our mental health and commissioning staff will now work closely with the co-design consultant to review the design briefs and develop programs and supports within the coming months.