Options
Title
Understanding Existing Community Networks: Preliminary Findings from Trainees Undertaking an Indigenous Suicide Intervention Training Program Developed in Partnership with Indigenous Communities
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008:
Author(s)
Nasir, B
Toombs, M
Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan, S
Kisely, S
Hides, L
Gil, N
Hayman, N
Brennan-Olsen, S
Nicholson, G C
Publication Date
2018
Abstract
<b>Background:</b> To determine the acceptance and effectiveness of a community-led Indigenous suicide-intervention training program, it is essential to identify which people or organizations are being used to seek support or help for an Indigenous person at-risk of suicide.
<br/>
<b>Objectives:</b> To identify existing social networks among volunteer suicide intervention trainees.
<br/>
<b>Methods:</b> We conducted social network surveys to identify existing networks between trainees and at-risk youth, communities and support agencies, before they commenced our suicide intervention training program. Qualitative feedback about the training program was also collected.
<br/>
<b>Findings:</b> Preliminary findings from 50 participants indicate that 44% were Aboriginal, 28% worked for government organizations, 74% had previous personal suicide experiences, 72% had provided support or help to an Indigenous person in the community who was at-risk of suicide and 48% had no previous prevention training. Most frequent contacts used were non-government agencies and mental health professionals: Both were contacted more than six times in the past 6 months by 16% of the participants. Friends (12%) or parents/guardians (12%) contacted participants for help or support more than six times in the last 6 months. Most-likely contact for future support or help were parents/guardians (44%), emergency services (40%) or doctors (40%). Feedback indicated a strong need for a tailored, community-developed approach to suicide prevention training.
<br/>
<b>Conclusions:</b> Preliminary findings indicate that our community-led program will be beneficial in developing connectedness within communities. Future research will evaluate the effectiveness of the training program after a period of time and will determine the change in connectedness and information flow within participants' social networks.
<br/>
<b>Objectives:</b> To identify existing social networks among volunteer suicide intervention trainees.
<br/>
<b>Methods:</b> We conducted social network surveys to identify existing networks between trainees and at-risk youth, communities and support agencies, before they commenced our suicide intervention training program. Qualitative feedback about the training program was also collected.
<br/>
<b>Findings:</b> Preliminary findings from 50 participants indicate that 44% were Aboriginal, 28% worked for government organizations, 74% had previous personal suicide experiences, 72% had provided support or help to an Indigenous person in the community who was at-risk of suicide and 48% had no previous prevention training. Most frequent contacts used were non-government agencies and mental health professionals: Both were contacted more than six times in the past 6 months by 16% of the participants. Friends (12%) or parents/guardians (12%) contacted participants for help or support more than six times in the last 6 months. Most-likely contact for future support or help were parents/guardians (44%), emergency services (40%) or doctors (40%). Feedback indicated a strong need for a tailored, community-developed approach to suicide prevention training.
<br/>
<b>Conclusions:</b> Preliminary findings indicate that our community-led program will be beneficial in developing connectedness within communities. Future research will evaluate the effectiveness of the training program after a period of time and will determine the change in connectedness and information flow within participants' social networks.
Publication Type
Conference Publication
Source of Publication
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52(1), p. 96-96
Publisher
Sage Publications Ltd
Place of Publication
United Kingdom
ISSN
1440-1614
0004-8674
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020
HERDC Category Description
Permanent link to this record