Aftercare Co-ordinator (Suicide Postvention)

Our Aftercare Co-ordinator Service provides a vital link between hospital and community-based services for people in the Wheatbelt who have survived suicide, or for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts (without immediate intent).

Why the program is important

The period following discharge from hospital after a suicide attempt can be a particularly challenging time. We’re here to encourage and help facilitate continued connection with purposeful care and support networks. This includes:

• making safety plans to help manage risk
• providing practical support to reconnect with GPs
• making referrals and connections with other community agencies.

How the program works

Our approach to case management is informed by lived experience, which plays a crucial role in developing, implementing and mobilising support that works for each individual and promotes active participation. It’s a carefully considered approach that includes practical supports:

• Recognising trauma. The Aftercare Coordinator is highly experienced and acknowledges the potential impact of past traumas on participants’ lives. In validating each person’s experience of trauma, we collaborate with similarly informed services, working on the person’s behalf to create support ‘loops’ through which they can more readily access healing environments.
• Safety planning. We develop highly detailed and individualised care plans in collaboration with participants, considering their preferences, needs and strengths. Each plan is designed to help the person navigate factors associated with increased risk and promote overall wellbeing, identifying ways to improve safety and exploring situations or triggers that may result in distressing emotional responses. It also includes coping strategies, support networks, resources and activities that are safe and available for people to access during challenging times.
• Continuous support and follow-up care. The people we support can participate in the program remotely or in person – most people prefer and enjoy the most benefit from face-to-face visits with their Aftercare Coordinator. We travel throughout the Wheatbelt to provide in-person support at every opportunity, with the Coordinator arranging a space to meet confidentially and safety.

We actively encourage participants to seek help and offer several ways for people to check in, discuss risk, celebrate progress and address any emerging challenges. Our team is available on the phone if participants are feeling isolated or need support to move safely through more minor day-to-day stressors and foster ongoing connectedness.

The outcomes

Participation is completely voluntary and we employ a flexible, courageous and all-inclusive approach to building environments of safety, connection and empowered personal growth. Importantly, we strive to promote positive experiences that are restorative. By fostering self-empowerment and promoting innovative sharing opportunities, we aim to restore the power imbalance that people often experience through more traditional models of care. We think about this in terms of:

• Journey of healing. Holistic, ongoing approaches to case management that support emotional, psychological and social needs, promoting comprehensive healing.
• Gradual progress. Each participant’s journey unfolds at the pace they choose, with an overarching purpose of moving from crisis to stability, leading to long-term recovery.

“You are amazing in everything you do … I have never felt safer in my life.”

 “Thank you …  you do a lot for my mental health … I live for these moments … that’s what gives me confidence to keep going.”

 “Thanks for reminding me. You’re my champion.”

We actively promote equity, value diversity and invite everyone with lived experience of suicide to speak their truth, safe in the knowledge we are listening with compassion. In this way, participants gain valuable insights into the factors associated with the highly personal human experience of profound emotional and psychological pain. The benefits include (but aren’t limited to):

• Post traumatic growth (PTG) and transformative change. Many individuals report personal growth and new perspectives following traumatic experiences.
• Increased appreciation for life. The people we support often develop a deeper appreciation of life and relationships through the relational process of partnering with positive support to overcome crises.

We also encourage participants to nominate significant others, including partners, family and carers to be involved in their journey with us. Doing so can provide additional benefits, including different perspectives; emotional and practical support; and a greater sense of community, worth, purpose and support during critical times.

How to access the program

The Aftercare Co-ordinator program is funded by WAPHA. We accept referrals from hospitals, GP clinics and the Community Mental Health Service.

• Referral from hospital. If you’re currently receiving mental health support via emergency department presentation or inpatient admission, you can request to be connected to our service, including as part of your discharge and safety plan.
• Referral from your GP. You can also request a referral to our service through your GP, after discussing your mental health needs with them.
• Referral from another service. If you’re already connected with another mental health service, such as the Community Mental Health Service, you can discuss your options with your current support team and, if appropriate, request a referral to our service.

For more information, please email wcads@holyoake.org.au or call 08 9621 1055.

Contact our team today Refer a client