Capital Health Network

The Way Back Support Service supports people in the first few months following a suicide attempt. An initiative of beyondblue and funded by both the Commonwealth Department of Health and ACT Health, the program is delivered by Woden Community Service. People who have experienced a suicide attempt are referred to the program by hospital emergency departments, mental health units, as well as the Community Mental Health Service for follow-up psychosocial support which can last up to 12 weeks. This is seen as a critical suicide prevention aftercare response for a person at a high-risk time and is a key element of the Lifespan model.

Throughout the bushfire crisis and COVID-19 pandemic, The Way Back Support Service team have sustained a responsive, trauma-informed and person-centered service. During the height of the bushfire crisis, there was a sharp increase in referral numbers and the service had its greatest service contact frequency in January and February (nearly 65% higher than previous months). The average number of referrals increased from 17 to 21 per month with 33 in January 2020, the highest number for one month. Overall, the service received 281 referrals in 2019/20.

The Way Back Support Service has experienced higher rates of referral since the beginning of 2020 and has had to adapt their service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic to successfully maintain a quality service assisting highly at-risk, vulnerable groups. Despite adapting service delivery to mostly telephone and online support, Support Coordinators successfully maintained a consistently high level of engagement with participants, in part due to increasing frequency of contact over this period.

ACT Minister for Health, Shane Rattenbury presents The Way Back Support Service with a Mental Health Month Award.

Testimonials

The Way Back Support Service won a Mental Health Month Award 2019 for providing support for individuals, families and carers which states: “This award recognises the work of the Way Back Support Service to assist people in their recovery journey after attempting suicide. This program has established itself as an integral part of the mental health sector in the ACT and is highly regarded and respected for its excellence in service to people at their most vulnerable”.

Client has fewer low days, more confidence in driving, is enjoying yoga, feeling less isolated, and improved relationships with children at the end of the support period with Way Back.

Client felt connected to services and this support enabled him to feel safer in the community, allowing him to spend time with family over the Christmas and New Year holidays.