The Crisis Support Program, currently operating across rural and remote areas of NSW, QLD, and VIC, offers a pioneering approach to suicide prevention by integrating lived experience peer support workers and Aboriginal wellness workers under clinical supervision. This model fosters a holistic, culturally sensitive approach, ensuring clients receive care that extends beyond a traditional clinical framework. Instead of focusing solely on diagnoses or problems, the program addresses the person as a whole, considering their social, emotional, and cultural well-being.
A key to the program’s success is its workforce development strategy, which focuses on upskilling local residents within rural communities. By equipping them with the skills and knowledge to provide peer-led crisis support, the program strengthens local capacity while expanding its workforce reach. The inclusion of lived experience and Aboriginal wellness workers significantly enhances the program’s ability to deliver services to more people, reaching communities that may have otherwise been underserved. These workers, deeply connected to their communities, are uniquely positioned to offer culturally relevant support and help break down barriers to accessing care.
The Crisis Support Program also employs a hybrid model that combines face-to-face and virtual services, ensuring clients can receive timely, personalised support regardless of their geographical location. This flexibility is essential in overcoming the challenges that often hinder access to mental health services in rural and remote communities.
By utilising peer workers and Aboriginal wellness workers, the program addresses the social determinants of health, including cultural safety, isolation, and economic disadvantage, while creating employment opportunities within these communities. The collaboration between these workers and clinical supervisors creates a sustainable, community-driven model that balances clinical rigor with local knowledge.
This presentation will explore how workforce development in rural and remote settings not only enhances local capacity but also broadens the reach of suicide prevention services, contributing to the conference theme of "Together Towards Tomorrow."