Aim
Zero Suicides in Care aims to improve care for people at risk of suicide who have contact with public health services. This includes managing the progress of the Zero Suicides in Care approach whilst understanding the improvements for staff and the impact for suicide prevention.
Method
In June 2020 Zero Suicides in Care was introduced in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD). In November 2020 ISLHD provided staff with a Work Force Survey developed by the Ministry of Health. This survey contained sixty-six questions and was completed by one hundred and twelve (n1) staff. In July 2023 the same survey was provided and completed by one hundred and ten (n2) staff. This represents 24% of the ISLHD Mental Health workforce. The results were compared and evaluated.
Results
Results included an increase in the number of staff who received training for suicide prevention and gained familiarity of clinical processes related to safety planning, access to lethal means, documentation and procedures for caring for people at risk of suicide. Training increased from 61.8% (n1) in 2020 to 88.4% (n2) in 2023. Familiarity increased from 50% (n1) in 2020 to 84.8% (n2) in 2023.
Results showed a increases in staff’s confidence and comfort, including their ability to provide care to people identified at elevated risk of suicide. Confidence increased from 60.9% (n1) in 2020 to 87.5% (n2) in 2023 and comfort increased from 60.9% (n1) in 2020 to 87.4% (n2) in 2023.
Results provided positive improvement in all areas except for transition. There was a decrease in familiarity with organisational procedures and confidence in the ability to work with consumers during their transitions in care. Familiarity decreased from 52.7% (n1) in 2020 to 47.3% (n2) in 2023 and confidence decreased from 54.5% (n1) in 2020 to 50.9% (n2) in 2023. Only area of improvement in transition was from ISLHD Mental Health services to another external service provider. This increased from 55.5% (n1) in 2020 to 83% (n2) in 2023.
NSW Suicide Monitoring System data suggest that the estimated 2023 suicide rate (based on January to June 2023 data) for ISLHD is stable.
Conclusion
The three-year evaluation supported the components implemented for Zero Suicides in Care with a significant increase in workforce knowledge and ability to address issues related to suicide. The surveys evaluated the components from a staff point of view in the work completed, leadership provided and support established.