March 12, 2018

Holyoake’s Wheatbelt Community Alcohol and Drug Service Prevention Team won the award for Effective Prevention at the 2018 AOD Awards for its combined Suicide Prevention & Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Management Plan in the Wheatbelt. This is the first plan of its kind in WA and has proven to be very effective.

The Prevention Team supports Wellbeing Plans at a community stakeholder/organisational level. This includes providing information, resources and advice about evidence-based best practice in injury prevention and harm minimisation to add value to locally owned initiatives to reduce the risk of harm to individuals, families and the community.

The development of these plans includes a thorough local consultation process. Key priority areas are identified, which can align specifically with alcohol and other drug prevention, suicide prevention, mental health and wellbeing or a combination of all three. A Community Perception Survey is also undertaken to gain an understanding of the communities’ perception of issues/concerns, and to evaluate and measure the locally developed plan.

The Mental Health Commission’s campaigns are embedded in the plans. This enables local communities to add value and localise these campaigns to reach their community or gain greater exposure at local events and initiatives.

Pingelly’s Wellbeing Plan has been showcased as an effective way forward in combining AOD Management & Suicide Prevention. Key stakeholders in Pingelly have driven the plan which ensures that all priority areas and strategies are developed at a grass roots level and are achievable.

Holyoake’s Prevention Team has engaged and undertaken community and stakeholder consultation in over 35 communities throughout the Wheatbelt. The purpose of this work is to upskill, build capacity and resilience alongside a strong evidence knowledge base.

For more information, please contact Eloise Fewster EFewster@Holyoake.org.au or Jo Drayton JDrayton@Holyoake.org.au