Symposia, Panel, Roundtable Discussion (max 60mins) The National Suicide Prevention Conference 2024

In South Australia, the Suicide Prevention Networks (SPNs) play a crucial role in bringing to life the vision set out in the South Australian Suicide Prevention Plan 2023-2026, aiming for compassionate, resilient and connected communities that support wellbeing and prevent suicide.

For more than 13 years, these networks have been instrumental in raising awareness of suicide prevention and working persistently to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and related behaviour.

With support from Preventive Health SA, 25 SPNs in rural and regional areas deliver tailored activities to meet local needs.

Members of the networks are mostly volunteers. These members are deeply embedded in their communities and represent a tapestry of local knowledge and expertise. Individuals from local government, businesses, sporting clubs, schools, service providers, community leaders and those with lived and living experience come together to make a difference in their communities.

This presentation will showcase the creativity and innovation of community led and driven suicide prevention alongside practical examples and case studies of the ways SPNs:

1. Build collaborative partnerships – demonstrating the strong connections SPNs have cultivated to support connected communities.

1. Apply wellbeing approaches – illustrating the development of mental health promotion strategies for community-led suicide prevention.

1. Focus their work on activities that promote protective factors and social determinants of health.

This session celebrates the innovative, community-led, and community-driven suicide prevention activities championed by South Australian SPNs.

It not only highlights their achievements but also paves the way for understanding their strategies, promoting shared learning, and nurturing a collective commitment to fostering wellbeing and preventing suicide in rural and regional communities.