Evaluation of suicide prevention activities

StandBy ACT

Page last updated: January 2014

1. Project Profile

Project Name(s)StandBy ACT
Funded OrganisationSupport Link Australia
Geographical AreaState-wide
State/TerritoryAustralian Capital Territory
Approach(es)Selected and Indicated
Individual/GroupIndividual and Group
LIFE Action Areas
    • Building individual resilience and the capacity for self-help
    • Improving community strength, resilience and capacity in suicide prevention
    • Taking a coordinated approach to suicide prevention
    • Implementing standards and quality in suicide prevention
Target Groups
    • People bereaved by suicide

2. Project Description

The StandBy Suicide Bereavement Response Service is an active postvention service, which was developed by United Synergies Ltd in 2002. The StandBy Response Service provides people bereaved by suicide with access to timely support and clear pathways to care. The service provides immediate response to people bereaved by suicide via its 24-hour crisis response telephone number. From there, people bereaved by suicide can receive face-to-face outreach service provided by a skilled trauma response team and/or a referral to appropriate support services matched to their needs.

Support Link is funded under the NSPP to provide the StandBy Service in the ACT.

Support Link must ensure that processes and procedures facilitate a collaborative approach with United Synergies and United Synergies provides support as a mentoring partner for the StandBy Service.

3. Activities

  • Providing ongoing professional care for people bereaved through suicide on a 24/7 basis
  • Providing support and assistance to and via emergency service personal from ACT Policing and ACT Ambulance Service at the time of a suicide loss
  • Maintaining MOU’s via Police and Ambulance training and liaison meetings
  • Maintaining a Steering Committee / Reference Group of local stakeholders
  • Maintaining ongoing professional supervision and debriefing
  • Maintaining service partnerships with community and government agencies able to further assist clients
  • Establishing a suitable framework to respond to suicides that affect school communities; In conjunction with the ACT Department of Education and other stakeholders review current framework
  • Establishing a suitable framework to respond to suicides that affect local businesses, in conjunction with ACT Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders continue to develop best practice response model
  • Establishing a suitable framework to respond to suicides that affect local migrant and refugee community - In conjunction with key migrant and refugee resettlement and support agencies develop best practice response model Top of page

4. Funding

  • Round 1
    • NSPP funding
      • 2006/07 - $128,932
      • 2007/08 - $121,500
      • 2008/09 - $124,568
    • % project funding - 100%
  • Round 2
    • NSPP funding
      • 2009/10 - $177,060
      • 2010/11 - $180,696
    • % project funding - 100%
  • Round 3
    • NSPP funding
      • 2011/12 - $183,949
      • 2012/13 - $187,260
    • % project funding - 100%

5. Staffing

  • Round 1 (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09)
    • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 1.4
    • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 4
  • Round 2 (2009/10, 2010/11)
    • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 1.4
    • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 4
  • Round 3 (2011/12, 2012/13)
    • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 1.4
    • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 4