For Australians aged 15-49 years, suicide is the leading cause of death. In 2021, 3,144 people died by suicide with a median age of 44.8 years[1]. Remarkably, approximately two-thirds of the individuals who died by suicide had not received any professional mental health support[2].
Some people don’t, can’t or won’t access support via hospital, general practice, phone or digital channels for numerous reasons and there are often barriers to support when people do reach out for help. What this means is that people experiencing thoughts of suicide and emotional distress don’t always get the support they need, when they need it most.
Safe Places offer an alternative, community-based response where people feel comfortable, and are able to share with peers and be open about their feelings. These quiet and welcoming environments are collaboratively designed and staffed by community, for community. Stride’s Safe Place model has been in operation since January 2019 and has rapidly embedded in six diverse local communities across 4 states and territories to address the issue of community crisis response for people experiencing emotional distress and thoughts of suicide.
Key features of Stride’s Safe Places include:
Data collected via the Subjective Unit of Distress Scale (SUDS) upon arrival and departure, and overwhelming feedback provided by visitors to the Safe Places demonstrate that the model of service works to reduce levels of distress, enhances personal safety and reduces presentations to ED. Our teams of Peer Support professionals draw from their own lived experiences of recovery; this creates a safe space for individuals to openly share their feelings with someone who understands their perspective. Through this, we keep people out of hospital and help them to better manage their emotional situation; giving them tools and support they need to stay alive.
[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics. Causes of Death, Australia (2020).
[2] Stene-Larsen K, Reneflot A. Contact with primary and mental health care prior to suicide: a systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2017. Scand J Public Health. (2019) 47:9–17. 10.1177/1403494817746274 [PubMed]