Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) has begun supporting a collaborative approach to suicide prevention in Grenfell. The Support Watch List is a partnership with Weddin Community Services, TAFE NSW and the Weddin Shire Suicide Prevention project, aimed at supporting those at most risk in the community.
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TAFE NSW has begun taking enrolments for a new Crisis Support course which aims to allow students to respond to others in crisis or at risk of suicide.
Weddin Shire Suicide Prevention Project Officer Chad White said the Support Watch List is a phone monitoring service to provide extra support to those with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts.
Individuals can be added to the Support Watch List upon presenting at their GP or Hospital Emergency Department and reporting suicidal thoughts.
WNSW PHN CEO, Andrew Harvey said the Support Watch List allows various local services to work together in assisting people at risk of suicide while maintaining their privacy.
"From the efforts of the volunteers to the training being provided by TAFE NSW and the support of manly local organisations, this really epitomises Grenfell as a community that really cares about its residents."
Weddin Community Services/Social Support Coordinators Liz Lotherington and Rebecca Knight said it is really good for the community to work together and and to support each other.
"Hopefully it strengthens the community so people are more connected and we have somewhere to turn," Ms Knight said.
Senior Suicide Prevention Project Officer Ros Patton said this came about as they saw the great work the Weddin Community Services group were doing with their support network and looked out how they could help.
"Through suicide prevention we wanted to enable across Australia a greater localised support network."
TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Community Services, Sharna Dean said TAFE NSW is pleased to be working with WNSW PHN with the goal of lessening the rates of suicide within the Grenfell community.
For more information on the Support Watch List or Crisis Support training contact Chad White on 0437229092.