square
square - Suicide, QUestions, Answers and REsources – is a set of materials that is both a stand alone educational resource and a support package for training and systems change, in suicide risk assessment, intervention and follow up. It supports a suicide and self harm primary health care model of collaborative practice.
You can view full details about this resource on the square website.
The square suicide prevention model promotes early and effective assessment and management of suicide risk. It outlines pathways for referral through primary health care services, depending on the level of risk. The emphasis is on collaborative practice and shared care responses.
This model, tools and education package were developed with a broad range of services and consumers, including representatives from:
- Hospitals
- Emergency services
- Mental health services
- General practice
- Drug and alcohol services
- Culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- Indigenous communities
- Communities representing the elderly
- Vietnam veterans
- Consumer and carer organisations.
Collaborative practice model
Skills, knowledge and relationships for working collaboratively are vital components of the square model. The best support and response to suicide and suicide risk occurs locally, through people having knowledge that enables them to recognise mental health problems and understand when and where to seek assistance, plus the confidence and connections to work in partnership with others. In particular, General Practice and other primary health care and community-based services are at the forefront of suicide prevention.
It is crucial that referral pathways are in place and can be identified to ensure that groups at increased risk can readily access appropriate support, care and referral through these mainstream services. It is also very important that the services foster a culture that accepts and caters for the needs of high-risk groups whilst supporting one another in this work.
The following steps have been taken to implement the model:
- At a regional and local level, key stakeholders have met to discuss the model, the tools and implementation.
- In each region, Divisions of General Practice are being funded to facilitate the implementation of the model and the delivery of training as well as supporting relevant practitioners to take up the model.
- Key stakeholders have identified change champions and people from key agencies to attend training (including general practice and mental health services). The training is delivered locally by Relationships Australia (SA) with active input by the local change champions.
For more information on square go to: www.square.org.au