Suicide support ‘around the clock’
A phone line, operating to provide urgent assistance to people at risk of suicide, is now available – day and night – to people participating in the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program.
A phone line, operating to provide urgent assistance to people at risk of suicide, is now available – day and night – to people participating in the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program.
Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, recently announced the extended hours telephone counselling service is available through the ATAPS suicide support line – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays.
“This is a little different from services like Lifeline because it is designed to support clients and clinicians that are part of our ATAPS suicide prevention service which helps those who have been identified as ‘at risk’ of suicide and are receiving psychological services,” Mr Butler says.
The Suicide Support Line has been a successful after-hours service, but according to Mr Butler, it has become clear there is a need for this support to be also offered during business hours.
“Now people who are known to be at risk of suicide can also talk to someone urgently during business hours, even if their psychologists are busy with other clients,” he adds.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Causes of Death, Australia report states the highest age-specific suicide death rate for males in 2010 was observed in the 40 to 44 years age group.
It is closely followed by the 80 to 84 years and 75 to 79 year old age groups. Females aged 65 to 69 years had the lowest age-specific suicide rate.
Most calls to the support line are from existing ATAPS Suicide Prevention Services clients who need help and are generally calling from their home, but mental health workers, doctors and Medicare Locals officers can ask for a call to be made to a client that they have referred to the suicide prevention service.
ATAPS Suicide Prevention Services provide people at risk of suicide or self-harm, including those who have attempted suicide, with unlimited access to psychological services for up to two months.
In addition to this specialised service, there is also a general Suicide Call Back Service funded by the federal government which provides counselling to people at risk of suicide, their carers and people bereaved by suicide, which can be contacted on 1300 659 467.
The support line is available to clients of ATAPS Suicide Prevention Services on 1800 859 585.
