Aftercare is a critical intervention following a suicide attempt or suicidal distress, but the involvement of families, friends, and carers is often inconsistent. While carers play a key role in recovery and suicide prevention in Australia, they frequently experience emotional strain and elevated risks to their own wellbeing. Many carers do not identify as such, potentially missing out on supports available to them. Incorporating carer support into aftercare is crucial for their mental health, and to improve the care they provide.
The Minds Together program addresses this gap by offering a free, evidence-based, self-paced online program for family, friends and carers supporting someone following a suicide attempt or experiencing suicidal distress. Informed by those with lived and living experience, it helps family, friends, and carers manage the emotional demands of their role while enhancing their knowledge and skills. Minds Together is easy to implement and scale, fitting into aftercare staff service delivery to offer holistic support. It acknowledges that carers need interventions addressing their specific challenges.
Several Australian states and territories have integrated this digital program into aftercare services. In addition to this, a train-the-trainer model for facilitators to deliver the program face-to-face will improve accessibility. The program connects carers with essential resources, supporting their mental health and ability to provide effective care.
As aftercare services engage family, friends and carers and refer them to Minds Together as part of standard practice, we will report on consultation with the aftercare sector, the reach and accessibility of the program and early indicators of outcomes for carers, including their mental health and wellbeing.
The implementation of Minds Together in some states and territories sets a strong foundation for its expansion into others. As it expands, the program will offer bespoke resources and information tailored to the priorities of each state and territory. This ensures that all who engage in the program contribute to a unified, nationwide strategy, supporting family, friends, and carers as part of a broader, community-focused approach to suicide prevention.