|
Telephone: 0418 932 798
ABN 26 201 855 900 |
Newsletter June-July 2011
The car was won by Lorraine Schram ticket number 4795
In Australia more people die of suicide than on the roads. While the rate of suicide in the SW is not above the State or National average, it is unacceptably high. Many nations have a lower rate. Initiated by the Foundation, after two years research Prof B English of ECU has reported on his major SW suicide prevention study. His is the first attempt in Western Australia to understand suicide prevention services across a regional community.
Generously funded by the Chef’s long table Lunch, Cristal Millennium Inorganic chemicals, private donors and a Lotterywest matching grant, Professor English used the National “Life is for everyone” (LiFE) framework for questionnaires and interviews with people in organisations dealing with people at high risk of suicide.
Arising from the research, major opportunities for constructive change are:
-
Improved availability of quality information for future assessments.
-
Accessibility of services, particularly in relation to adolescents and children and the cost benefit of change require investigation
-
Professional development enhancement
-
Collaboration for seamless service is desirable, but not yet active
-
Clarification of legal responsibilities around confidentiality and duty of care
-
Clarified suicide prevention roles for staff within agencies
-
High staff turnover in Mental Health services and transient capacity of Non government organisations intermittent grants.
The findings of the research support the “State Suicide Prevention Strategy 2009-2013” with facts and priorities The Foundation wishes these findings to be publicised in a responsible and constructive way. The important issue is to reduce suicide.
Val Lishman Health Research Foundation has developed a firm view on the priorities concerning change management, suggesting a position of designated responsibility and accountability is desirable. Collaboration for seamless service to clients should involve all staff but requires leadership. We have put forward ideas on implementation and on impact assessment and identified some areas for further research to the Office of the Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton MLC. The Foundation will investigate the role community might play in promoting the research findings for suicide prevention across the South West.
Original Reports are not yet up, but will soon be. However, condensed report is available on the website.
RESEARCH IN PROGRESS
Inherited high cholesterol affects 1:500 families and untreated leads to premature heart attack. Although easy to treat once found, it is estimated that 90 % of Australian families affected have not been diagnosed. This research compares four different ways of finding the families, across the SW. The work is proceeding well, is on time and budget, and has already found new families. The Foundation holds monthly review and management meetings with the researchers at the Rural Clinical School Bunbury. We are all pleased with progress. This is funded by SW community and major Royalties for Regions grant. The research will be complete in mid 2013.
Depression after breast canceris commoner in survivors living in regional Australia. ECU Bunbury research has interviewed SW breast cancer survivors for 5 years and after analysis expects be able to predict the dominant risk factors for a person’s situation, leading to enhanced prevention of the problem. More of this in the next newsletter.
FUTURE RESEARCH The Foundations research team, Emeritus Professor Adrian Egan and Tricia Ewing hope to develop a strategy for this in consultation with all SW stakeholders. If you would like to contribute to deliberations or in another way please send a note to vlhrf@bigpond.com.
