ALEXANDRINA - Following the increased media coverage surrounding suicides in Strathalbyn and southern Adelaide Hills and districts last year, a report has been developed highlighting what has been done to raise awareness and promote support resources.
The Positive Mental Health & Wellbeing - Strathalbyn Task Group 2011 Evaluation by Country Health SA Local Health Network discusses the community and service providers' response to the media coverage, the development and aims of the task group, and future considerations.
The report said as a result of the sudden media attention and heightened concern and anxiety in the Strathalbyn community, the Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum was held on May 11, 2011 by Country Health SA Mental Health Services.
Following the forum, a group of health service providers met to discuss the major learnings and issues requiring follow up.
From this, the task group was formed to work with key community members to promote services available to people suffering with mental health issues, and their families.
The report said the increase in community anxiety and concern was evidenced by community members expressing concern for their children and loved family members in the course of everyday conversations, despite the presence or absence of suicide risk factors.
"It also became evident that knowledge of how to access appropriate health services was limited," the report said.
"It seemed as if community members were expecting and anticipating announcements of death by suicide every day, and were fearful that someone in their family may be affected next.
"Another significant concern was the prevailing misapprehension that people who committed suicide would be known to mental health services and that somehow our health system had let the community down by allowing local people to suicide.
"It is important to note that none of the people who suicided in the Strathalbyn community in 2010-2011 were known to the local mental health team."
Since the forum, residents in and around Strathalbyn have proposed and are developing mental health support groups within the community.
"The groups are seeking support in the development of these groups, through external facilitation and by training local people in the skills required to facilitate such groups," the report said.
"As a result of the task group, a community group has expressed its desire to establish an independent mental health drop-in centre.
"The task group is being kept up to date with the progress of this group by one of its members."
Alexandrina Council's manager of lifestyle services, Jenn Cole, said it's about tapping into the resources so the whole community can be looked after.
"It's a health issue and a community issue," she said.
"People are more informed about where they can access help for people with mental health concerns.
"The highlight of this report, if that's possible, is there's no evidence there has been an increase in suicide; it's the media focus on the issue that has been the change."
The report was discussed at the January 16 council meeting and received positive feedback.
Councillor Madeleine Walker said these types of reports are a big help.
"This is a good piece of work and the report is excellent," she said.
Cr Trent Rusby agreed.
"Council needs to be acting responsibly as it can in preventing these types of incidents in the future," he said.
Cr Barry Featherston echoed these statements.
"One suicide is too many," he said.
"If we don't do something, nobody will."
Have your say on the SA Suicide Prevention Strategy
SA Health has released the Draft South Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy to the public for a seven-week consultation period.
The strategy's purpose is to develop a coordinated response to people experiencing psychological distress that is both compassionate and supportive during periods of vulnerability.
This final consultation phase is seeking feedback from community members, services and other agencies to inform the strategy and provide comprehensive information on the services currently available.
It will provide valuable input into the goals and actions to implement the final strategy planned for release later this year.
The strategy and feedback survey is available on the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au.The feedback survey will be available until February 29.
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