The key anticipated outcomes of the project are:

• A rigorously evaluated model of online service delivery that can be effectively used by service providers to support rural suicide workers and, as a result, improve client care in rural communities
• Improved understanding of and solutions for the complex ethical (including confidentiality), professional and technical issues that impact upon effective delivery of web-based health services
• Development of new knowledge, skills and capacities at the service provider, worker and community level by access to online services, information and support and global networks
• New knowledge and innovative ideas about the use of online service delivery that contribute to community health and wellbeing and reduction of problems associated with suicide
• The development of new knowledge, skills and capacities to evaluate and assess the impact of online service delivery more generally as a contribution to this developing academic discipline
• A significant contribution to existing research on the potential and current uses of online communication for individuals, communities and organisations
• The provision of important research evidence of the elements critical for the success of online support projects that aim to empower rural communities, such as the function of local ‘champions’ in influencing take-up within their communities, the role of key stakeholders, and the degree of project ‘ownership’ felt by participants.

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