|
Level
1: Supporting the Whole Community
Level 1 of the online support model is essentially an information
resource for both workers and community members. It aims to
provide information that assists communities in developing
a holistic suicide prevention strategy, such as a resource
bank of ‘user-friendly’ information supplied by
recognised experts in the field, links to reputable websites,
and access to the Lifeline and Kids Help Line databases of
relevant support services. These extensive, highly-regarded
databases are key resources for both community workers, by
facilitating informal referrals from one support service to
another; and community members in general, by alerting individuals
to potential local sources of assistance.
The NSW Regional Communities Consultative
Council noted in Beyond Desolation (2000) that one of the
concerns expressed by communities was the overabundance of
documents, studies, statistics and reports on the subject
of suicide, and how to simplify scientific information so
that it meets the needs of community members and workers.
Such information also needs to be tailored so that it is appropriate
for individuals and groups right across the community, addressing
particular requirements that arise from disability, low levels
of English literacy, varied ethnic background or educational
level. Those people who are ‘slipping through the cracks’
will be more effectively identified and supported when the
community as a whole is aware of the risk factors and the
support mechanisms that exist (Regional Communities Consultative
Council 2001), and when available information is both appropriate
and inclusive.
Level 1 of the ACROSSnet website, therefore,
aims to provide information that is relevant to a wide range
of community members. The project steering committee, and
other interested stakeholders in the rural communities, plays
an important role in ensuring the appropriateness of the material.
Information targeted for indigenous community members, for
example, is perused by workers within indigenous communities,
who are aware that ‘suicide within an Aboriginal community
has different wellsprings, histories, sociology, patterns
and even rituals. It is qualitatively different, and needs
to be viewed and responded to differently’ (Tatz, 2001).
More broadly, all information is made available in forms that
facilitate access by those with poor telecommunications infrastructure.
Top of
Page
Level
2: Supporting Workers across the Community
This level of the interactive online system aims to support
both professional mental health workers, and those (like police
officers, youth workers, community development workers, teachers
and ministers) who deal with at-risk individuals in the course
of their broader duties. A key benefit of this level is that
registered users can seek information on particular issues
by submitting an enquiry to the ACROSSnet suicide information
officer.
The Senior Research Associate then supplies
information targeted to that particular enquiry. The response
includes a fact sheet providing up-to-date evidence-based
information about the area of enquiry, a list of appropriate
resources/references, and contacts in the worker’s local
area who can supply face-to-face support if appropriate.
This is particularly critical for community
professionals who often have little specific training in suicide
prevention strategies, deal with diverse clients presenting
with a range of risk factors, and have fewer support
systems and referral networks than professional mental health
workers.
Other services available at Level 2 are based on meeting the
need identified by workers for networking and professional
development opportunities. They include chat conferences with
experts in the field of suicide or other relevant areas of
interest; and secure web-based forums that assist workers
to network and share information, resources and solutions
with other isolated workers who face the same unique challenges
to practice.
Videoconferencing, internet relay chats and/or
audioconferencing may also used to extend the opportunities
and choices for workers who wish to deepen their professional
knowledge and expand their networks. A loan system operates
from the AISRAP library, facilitating access to specialised
literature and resources that are difficult to obtain in rural
and remote areas. Finally, specialised online training modules
in suicide prevention and mental health, developed by AISRAP
in conjunction with the Queensland Government Youth Suicide
Prevention Strategy, will be made available in the near future
(initially cost-free for the life of the project, and later
for a nominal fee).
Top of
Page
Level
3: Supporting Professional Mental Health Workers
Level 3 aims to meet the needs of professional mental health
workers dealing with cases at a ‘sub-acute’ level.
It provides the means for such workers to consult with a senior
clinician with expertise in suicide via secure website processes.
Top of
Page
For more information about ACROSSnet, click
on one of the links in the 'About ACROSSnet' menu on the
left.
|
