State Initiative Broadens SafeSide Prevention Access Across Western Australia

The State Government is providing funding to SafeSide Prevention over 18 months to help enhance suicide prevention in Western Australia.

SafeSide will build on the foundations laid in the initial phase of this project—listening to people, learning about the work already underway, and identifying how SafeSide’s programs can complement the existing suicide prevention work in Western Australia.

"Suicide prevention is complex, requiring a multifaceted response tailored to community needs,” SafeSide’s Chief Scientific Advisor Tony Pisani said.

“We heard from participants that there is a motivation to do more in suicide prevention, and that SafeSide’s research-based approaches could be adapted and implemented to strengthen and complement the excellent work underway in Western Australia.

“We look forward to continuing this work together.”

SafeSide Prevention works towards a vision of a world where every person is respected, connected, and giving to others.

Our challenge is to engage, unite, and support a diverse workforce that serves diverse populations and communities, thinking, acting, and communicating with a common set of principles and best practices.

In line with our mission and vision, four programs will be available under this stream of funding:

1. The Connect Program: An upstream prevention program proven to strengthen and protect workplace teams through interactive training. Connect reduces hidden suicide risk and creates a supportive environment that naturally protects vulnerable individuals, allowing team leaders to care for their people through systemic support rather than relying solely on individual detection and intervention.
2. The SafeSide Program: The SafeSide Program provides evidence-based suicide prevention education for mental health, primary care, alcohol and other drugs, and youth services. Structured around the SafeSide Framework, the program uses the InPlace® Learning model, combining video teaching and demonstrations with group interaction.
3. The Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS): A program that teaches evidence-based treatment, which reduces suicidal ideation in as few as six to eight sessions, backed by 35 years of research.
4. The Restore Network: The Restore Network provides leaders with a network for collaborating with other external organisations to build a more restorative, just, and learning culture. Alongside a suite of educational resources, monthly working meetings supported by each other and subject matter experts will provide a space to share progress, unblock issues, and plan the next steps.

Mental Health and Health Minister Meredith Hammat said tragically, too many Western Australians have experienced the devastating effects of a loved one's death by suicide.

"Our government is committed to suicide prevention, and this investment will provide our mental health workforce with enhanced skills and training for the challenging job they face when confronted with a suicidal crisis in our community,” she said.

"Preventing suicide requires a whole of community commitment, and this is one of the ways we are working collaboratively to build a more effective suicide prevention system."

Feedback from participants about the SafeSide Program during the initial phase of the project

"We're not here to replace what works. We're here to amplify it. Western Australia has dedicated professionals doing incredible suicide prevention work,” Professor Pisani said.

“Our role is to provide additional evidence-based tools that complement these existing efforts.

"Effective suicide prevention isn't about individual heroes. It's about creating systems where safety and support are built into everyday interactions."

To find out more about implementing the funded programs in your service, register here.