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A rural, community-based suicide awareness and intervention program

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 03:11 authored by Jones, S, Walker, C, Miles, AJC, De Silva, E, Craig ZimitatCraig Zimitat
Suicide is a prominent public health issue in rural Australia and specifically in Tasmania which has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. The Community Response to Eliminating Suicide (CORES) program was developed in rural Tasmania in response to a significant number of suicides over a short period of time. CORES is unique in that it is both a community based and gatekeeper education model. CORES aims to build and empower communities to take ownership of suicide prevention strategies. It also aims to increase the individual community member’s interpersonal skills and awareness of suicide risks, while building peer support and awareness of suicide prevention support services within the community itself. Pre- and post-test surveys after the CORES 1day Suicide Awareness & Intervention Program (SAIP)showed significant increases in levels of comfort and confidence in discussing suicide with those who may be contemplating that action. CORES builds community capital through establishing new connections within communities. Establishment of local executive groups, funding and SAIP are key activities of successful CORES programs in communities around Australia. Over half of the initial leaders are still actively involved after a decade, which reflects positively on the quality and outcomes of the program. This study supports CORES as a beneficial and feasible community-based suicide intervention program for rural communities.

History

Publication title

Rural and Remote Health

Volume

15

Article number

2972

Number

2972

Pagination

1-11

ISSN

1445-6354

Department/School

Tasmanian School of Medicine

Publisher

Australian Rural Health Education Network

Place of publication

Australia

Rights statement

Copyright 2014 The Authors

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Mental health

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    University Of Tasmania

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