Suicide Prevention Australia

Running time 41.55 At the 2018 National Suicide Prevention Conference held in Adelaide SA we were delighted to welcome David Covington as one of our international speakers. David kindly talked with us following his Plenary Presentations and Workshops at the conference so that those of you who couldn't be there in person could hear some of his key points and learnings. More on Mr Covington below. David Covington, LPC, MBA serves as CEO and President of RI International, is a partner in Behavioral Health Link, co-founder of CrisisTech 360 and leads the international initiatives “Crisis Now,” “Zero Suicide” and “Peer 2.0.” He is a two-time national winner of the Council of State Governments Innovations Award, in 2008 with the Georgia Crisis & Access Line and again in 2012 with Magellan Health. For five consecutive years, he competed as a national finalist in innovations competitions, including Harvard’s Innovations in American Government in 2009, and was featured in Business Week magazine (Innovate Timeli

Running time 21.32 At the 2018 National Suicide Prevention Conference held in Adelaide SA we were delighted to welcome Carol Hopkins , Executive Director, Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, Ontario, Canada as one of our international speakers. Carol kindly talked with us following her Plenary Presentation at the conference so that those of you who couldn't be there in person could hear some of her key points and learnings. More on Ms Hopkins below. Carol Hopkins is the Executive Director of the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation (a division of the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation) and is of the Lenape Nation at Moraviantown, ON. Carol Hopkins has spent over 20 years in the field of First Nations addictions and mental health. She holds both a Masters of Social Work Degree from the University of Toronto and a degree in sacred Indigenous Knowledge, equivalent to a PhD in western based education systems. Carol also holds a sessional faculty position in the school of social work at Kings Uni

Running time 9.42 On 23 July 2018, at Suicide Prevention Australia’s National Suicide Prevention Conference, Chief Executive Nieves Murray launched a paper that challenges Australia’s view of the role of mental illness when it comes to suicide prevention. Listen to our interview with SANE Australia's Head of Programs, Sarah Coker, on why this Paper is important and what it means for all of us. More on the Paper below and [on the SPA website](https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/news/media-release-new-discussion-paper-challenges-australia%E2%80%99s-views-role-mental-illness-and-suicide). Research shows people living with complex mental illness are 13-45 times more likely to take their own life their own life than those living without mental illness. For people living with: * Borderline personality disorder the risk is 45 times greater * Anorexia nervosa the risk is 31 times greater * Major depressive disorder the risk is 20 times greater * Bipolar disorder is 17 times greater * Schizophreni

Running time 13.22 In 2018 Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) celebrated the 15th Annual LiFE Awards recognising excellence in suicide prevention. The 2018 National Suicide Prevention Conference Dinner played host to this important event and was a chance for the whole sector to appreciate the innovative work being undertaken by our peers and colleagues. The Awards are a prestigious national event that attracts nominations from all areas including business, industry, media, community, government, youth research and medicine – all with an interest in suicide prevention. Nominations are received from all over Australia, and we were delighted with the number of quality nominations this year showcasing the exciting and diverse range of work being undertaken within the field. The nominees range from mainstream programs to local ‘grass roots’ organisations and dedicated individuals. The Awards celebrate the commitment and energy of the nominees and their vital contribution to the reduction of suicide within our c

Running time 17.41 In 2018 Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) celebrated the 15th Annual LiFE Awards recognising excellence in suicide prevention. The 2018 National Suicide Prevention Conference Dinner played host to this important event and was a chance for the whole sector to appreciate the innovative work being undertaken by our peers and colleagues. The Awards are a prestigious national event that attracts nominations from all areas including business, industry, media, community, government, youth research and medicine – all with an interest in suicide prevention. Nominations are received from all over Australia, and we were delighted with the number of quality nominations this year showcasing the exciting and diverse range of work being undertaken within the field. The nominees range from mainstream programs to local ‘grass roots’ organisations and dedicated individuals. The Awards celebrate the commitment and energy of the nominees and their vital contribution to the reduction of suicide within our c

Suicide Prevention Australia is pleased to advise that the National Suicide Prevention Research Fund is today opening applications for PhD scholarships. There are six scholarships being offered each valued at $105,000 over three years. **Applications open Monday 25th June and close 3rd August 2018.** [Please read and share the application information on our website.](https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/higher-degree-research-scholarships) The aim of the scholarship program is to support outstanding graduates early in their research career to be trained to conduct research that is relevant to all aspects of suicide prevention, is internationally competitive and will assist in developing a capacity for original independent research within Australia. Review the Guidelines for Scholarships to determine eligibility, funding and the criteria for assessment. There will be up to six scholarships offered to researchers in the 2018\. Three of these will be funded directly through the National Suicide Preventio

Dr Sally Spencer-Thomas is a clinical psychologist and mental health advocate. She has been involved in numerous large scale awareness and public education campaigns in mental health and suicide prevention, including man therapy, an innovative men’s suicide prevention campaign using humour, media and digital engagement to promote mental health and suicide prevention to high risk men. Sally spoke with SPA Knowledge Exchange Manager Michelle Kwan recently at the International Association for Suicide Prevention Conference in Waitangi, Bay of Islands in New Zealand, about some of the challenges to help-seeking for men and the impact of rebranding mental health care to align to the values of your audience. More about IASP Asia Pacific 2018 at https://iasp.info/newzealand/

Associate Professor Kerry Gibson ( Director Clinical Psychology Programme of the School of Psychology at the University of Auckland) spoke with SPA Lived Experience Network Manager Tracy McCown about The Mirror Project. More about The Mirror Project at https://www.themirrorproject.co.nz/ More about IASP Asia Pacific 2018 at https://iasp.info/newzealand/

Dr Linda Langford is a great resource to the suicide prevention sector’s push for quality improvement. She has the exciting role of Evaluation and Communication Scientist at the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. She previously co-managed the US Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention and has a wealth of knowledge around the challenges and benefits of developing and maintaining a national online register of evaluated programs and services. She has also worked on suicide prevention messaging and stigma reduction with the US Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs and Education. From 1998 to 2005, she was an Assistant Clinical Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine and is a Visiting Scientist at Harvard’s Department of Health Policy and Management. She spoke with SPA General Manager Nikki Kelso on the importance of evaluating suicide prevention programs. Find out more about the Suicide Prevention Resource Center at https://www.sprc.org/ Visit the newly launched Australian Suicide Preventi

Suicide Prevention Resource Center Director Elly Stout is a public health professional with extensive experience in suicide prevention, social marketing, and health promotion with diverse populations. She works with diverse audiences, national partners, and stakeholders to support capacity building and infrastructure development in states, organisations, health systems, and communities to reduce suicide deaths and attempts across the United States. With nearly 20 years’ experience in public health, she currently directs the SAMHSA-funded Suicide Prevention Resource Center, the only federally funded resource center in the United States dedicated to advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Her skills include strategic planning and communication, financial analysis and budget management, fundraising and donor relations, and team leadership and human resources management. Before coming to EDC, she worked domestically and internationally in HIV/AIDS prevention and maternal and child health, as well

Sadé Heart of the Hawk Ali, Tribal Lead for the Zero Suicide Institute talks with SPA General Manager Nikki Kelso at the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) conference in Washington, DC, USA.  Heart of the Hawk is a First Nations Mi'kmaq (northern USA and southern Canada) who identifies as Two Spirit. She has been in the behavioural health field for almost fifty years and, for the past 2 decades has dedicated her life not only to her own healing from intergenerational and historical trauma, but to also educating others on the impact of trauma on her People. She is a pow wow dancer, a shawl maker, president of First Nations, LLC, and a lifetime member of SAIGE (Society of American Indian Government Employees).  She speaks about why it is essential to involve First Nations peoples in all suicide prevention efforts. Find out more about the AAS Conference at http://www.suicidology.org/Annual-Conference/51st-Annual-Conference Talking openly about suicide is so important, however this can bring up dif

SPA General Manager Nikki Kelso interviews Dr Julie Cerel, President of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) at their annual conference held this week in Washington, DC, USA. Dr. Cerel is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky. Her research has focused on suicide bereavement, suicide attempt survivors and suicide prevention. She completed her PhD from The Ohio State University, an internship and post-doctoral fellowship from West Virginia University and a post-doctoral fellowship specifically in suicide prevention from University of Rochester. She has served as Research Division Chair and Board Chair of American Association of Suicidology. She is the author of over 50 academic publications and co-author of Seeking Hope: Stories of the Suicide Bereaved. Her work has been funded by the Military Suicide Research Consortium from the U.S. Department of Defense, the CDC, SAMHSA, SPAN-USA and AFSP. She is a Board member and former chair, K

Pictured: Naomi with SPA Acting CEO Kim Borrowdale. As part of a series of State/Territory roundtable meetings with Suicide Prevention Australia Associate, Lived Experience Network and Organisation Members, our Chair, Board and Staff hosted a number of group and individual meetings. Today, SPA Chair Matthew Tukaki met with Naomi Frauenfelder, Executive Director of SPA Member Organisation Tracksafe Foundation. After the meeting, Naomi joined Kim on our podcast channel to talk about Rail R U OK?Day this week, what Tracksafe Foundation does and their work with R U OK? and other Members such as Lifeline, as well as international collaboration efforts. Find out more about Tracksafe Foundation at http://tracksafefoundation.com.au/ Not an SPA Member? Find out more and join today at https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/membership #ManyVoicesOneGoal #SuicidePrevention

Pictured: Liz with SPA Research Fund Director Sue Murray As part of a series of State/Territory roundtable meetings with Suicide Prevention Australia Associate, Lived Experience Network and Organisation Members, Research Fund Director Sue Murray hosted a breakfast meeting with Hobart based Members on 23 March 2018. After the meeting, Sue sat down with CEO of Member Organisation RAW (Rural Alive & Well Inc.), Liz Little. Find out more about Rural Alive & Well (RAW) at http://www.rawtas.com.au/ Not an SPA Member? Find out more and join today at https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/membership #ManyVoicesOneGoal #SuicidePrevention

Pictured: Claire with SPA Board Director Luke Mann As part of a series of State/Territory roundtable meetings with Suicide Prevention Australia Associate, Lived Experience Network and Organisation Members, our Chair Matthew Tukaki and Acting CEO Kim Borrowdale hosted a breakfast meeting with Sydney based Members on 20 March 2018. After the meeting, Kim sat down with CEO of Member Organisation JewishCare NSW, Claire Vernon, to talk about some of the key points of discussion and to hear more about the local suicide prevention strategy they've been working on with other SPA Members and across the communities they support. Find out more about JewishCare at http://www.jewishcare.com.au/ Not an SPA Member? Find out more and join today at https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/membership #ManyVoicesOneGoal #SuicidePrevention

As part of a series of State/Territory roundtable meetings with Suicide Prevention Australia Associate, Lived Experience Network and Organisation Members, our Chair Matthew Tukaki and Research Fund Director Sue Murray visited Perth in Western Australia. After the meeting, Sue sat down with CEO of Member Organisation Youth Focus WA, Fiona Kalaf, to talk about some of the key points of discussion and issues being faced at a national and state level in suicide prevention from her perspective. #ManyVoicesOneGoal #SuicidePrevention

John Harper is a farmer and former shearer. He is also the founder of the depression-fighting community self-help program Mate Helping Mate, and has worked for years with SPA Member Riverina Bluebell Suicide Prevention Network and others to support strengthening of communities' and individuals’ mental health. We caught up with John in the SPA office when he popped in to update us on his latest rural outreach project. Have a listen to what John is most proud of in his years working in this space and hear some tips on connecting when in rural and remote areas. #CommunitiesMatter #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth

A Suicide Prevention Australia Member-Primary Health Network-Lived Experience Network Evaluation Workshop was convened on 8 February 29018 in Sydney to support those working in suicide prevention to build up skills and evaluation design and techniques. After the workshop we sat down for a few minutes to talk with presenters Mr Alan Woodward, Executive Director, Lifeline Research Foundation and Dr Helen Jordan, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne. This one-day workshop provided participants with the opportunity to build up skills in evaluation and evaluation techniques. SPA Members, Lived Experience representatives and PHN staff were able to engage and learn from each other. Presentations covered: * What is evaluation? An outline of the evaluation process, definitions and terminology, key steps in evaluation, and why and when do evaluation and by whom  * Insights and challenges in managing an evaluation program includin

Audio of a video message from Suicide Prevention Australia Chair Matthew Tukaki. He has some important news to share with you about our organisation. This includes the search for a new Chief Executive Officer and our announcement appointing a new Research Fund Director to take charge of the new National Research Fund administered by Suicide Prevention Australia on behalf of the Australia Government.  TRANSCRIPT:  Hello friends The Suicide Prevention Australia team has come into the new year with a lot to do and a shared passion and energy to work with our Members and colleagues to support more Australians to live.  Today, as SPA Chair, I have some exciting news to share with you. As you may know, SPA’s functions have expanded in the past 12 months with Government and organisation investment in Australia’s first National Research Fund dedicated to suicide prevention and an online Best Practice Hub. This is a huge piece of work that needs to be managed alongside the existing work we do for our Members. T