While the importance of community-based suicide postvention services is undeniable, the field continues to evolve as new insights emerge regarding effective support strategies. Aligned with the 2025 National Suicide Prevention Conference theme, Together Towards Tomorrow, this presentation chronicles the two-decade journey of a national postvention program, which has consistently adapted through a commitment to evidence-based practice, informed by lived experience, ongoing evaluation, and the continuous refinement of its service model.
Since its inception in 2002, this program has grown from a small regional initiative into a national leader in suicide postvention. Since its establishment, the program has undergone multiple formal evaluations, contributing significantly to the postvention literature and evidence base. These evaluations have been pivotal in driving key improvements and shaping the program’s services, which now include specialist suicide bereavement counselling and peer support in several Australian states and territories. Additionally, partnerships with academic institutions and research organisations have been established, with ongoing research expected to bolster the program’s ability to address complex needs and provide culturally informed support.
Most recently, an internal review provided the program with an opportunity to critically assess its evidence base, underlying assumptions and contemporary practices within suicide postvention. This comprehensive review resulted in several key recommendations aimed at enhancing the program’s efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring it remains responsive to the evolving suicide postvention landscape.
The program’s commitment to evidence-based practice and its ongoing investment in evaluation underscores its adaptability, resilience, and capacity to evolve within the dynamic landscape of suicide postvention. This presentation offer’s insights into the program’s transformative journey, highlighting evaluation driven enhancements and its steadfast commitment to improving accessibility and support for individuals, groups, and communities bereaved and/or impacted by suicide, as we move Together Towards Tomorrow.