Following a sharp increase in youth suicide in the Ballarat region between 2021 and 2022 the headspace Ballarat Youth Suicide Prevention Project (YSPP) was commissioned by the Western Victoria PHN to provide community engagement and scoping works to address this increase in our community through a number of targeted interventions.
Recognizing the complexity of the local mental health landscape and its impact on youth suicide prevention, the YSPP initiated a series of Community Insights focus groups. These groups, comprised of young people, parents, carers, and mental health professionals, provided critical feedback on the barriers to accessing timely and appropriate mental health care. The active engagement of Community Insights focus groups, led to the creation of two pivotal resources: the ‘Ballarat Youth Mental Health Service and Referral Guide’ and ‘Where Can You Go for Mental Health Support in Ballarat’.
The ‘Ballarat Youth Mental Health Service and Referral Guide’ serves as a comprehensive tool for professionals, detailing the available mental health services in the region, along with clear referral pathways and eligibility criteria. Meanwhile, the ‘Where Can You Go for Mental Health Support in Ballarat’ resource offers a simplified, youth-friendly guide, helping young people and their carers identify the appropriate level of care and how to connect with local services. Both resources were developed using the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) to ensure consistency and clarity in service alignment not only locally, but also aligning to national standards.
The presentation will emphasize the importance of incorporating lived experience and community voice into the development of suicide prevention resources. The focus groups, which included individuals with lived experience of suicidal thoughts and behaviours as well as those experiencing suicide related bereavement, were instrumental in shaping resources that are both relevant and effective. Their contributions ensured that the language used is safe, inclusive, and non-stigmatizing, making the resources accessible and empowering for all users.
In line with the conference theme ‘Together Towards Tomorrow’, this presentation will showcase how the YSPP's community-led approach has enhanced local suicide prevention efforts. Attendees will gain insights into the co-design process and learn how these resources can be adapted and implemented in other communities to improve mental health service navigation and reduce suicide risk among young people.