Background: Factors contributing to suicide are complex, multifaceted, and varied across individuals. However, suicidal distress, encompassing suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, has been identified as the primary precursor to suicide. Preventing suicide is a collective effort, and there is increasing evidence of the critical role of family and friends in supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress or mental health concerns. Although rewarding, this supportive role is associated with physical, psychological, financial and social impacts. Minds Together is a suite of online programs developed by Everymind that aims to build the capability and capacity of family and friends supporting someone experiencing mental health concerns or suicidal distress.
Aim: This research project aimed to inform and guide appropriate local services in the Hunter region toward the implementation of evidence-based peer support interventions into existing models of care for family and friends supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress.
Methods: This project focused on three key components. First, data from a workshop facilitated by Everymind at the Roses in the Ocean Lived Experience of Suicide Summit was collected and analysed. Next, a systematic review of the literature detailing the efficacy of peer support for family and friends of people experiencing suicidal distress and mental health concerns was conducted. Finally, community members and service providers from the Hunter region who have lived and living experience of supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress were consulted with, and data was analysed to inform a local perspective.
Results: The fifty-two delegates at the Roses in the Ocean Lived Experience of Suicide Summit agreed on peer support's value, with advice provided on its efficacy. Preliminary findings from the systematic literature review identified ten articles exploring peer support's efficacy for family and friends supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress and mental health concerns. The Hunter region stakeholder consultation revealed the importance of embedding lived experience in services to enhance connections for family and friends, that peer support has the potential to alleviate challenges experienced by those in a support role, and emphasised the need for flexible and accessible peer support options.
Conclusion: This project explores embedding peer support options into existing services for family and friends supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress. The proposed poster will detail the impact embedded peer support options can have on family and friends who provide this support.