Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Cost PHN is funding Beyond Blue’s postvention initiative The Way Back Support Service across the region, to provide non-clinical care coordination for up to three months for people who have recently attempted suicide.
To be eligible for The Way Back, individuals must be 15 years and older and have presented to a hospital emergency department or community mental health service as a result of, or following, a suicide attempt.
People must also reside within Central Queensland, Wide Bay, or Sunshine Coast HHS areas.
Individuals are ineligible for The Way Back if they are already being supported by an intensive assertive outreach service that includes support for their mental health needs.
While The Way Back is a non-clinical service, it relies on referrals through clinical pathways to ensure we have the best understanding of a person’s needs and mental health.
Referrals into The Way Back Support Service will be made via the HHS.
The service providers for The Way Back for each hospital and health service area are as follows:
- Central Queensland HHS – Anglicare CQ
- Wide Bay HHS – Richmond Fellowship Queensland
- Sunshine Coast HHS – Open Minds
People who are referred to the service via hospital pathways are contacted by a support coordinator from one of the providers above, within one working day of receiving their referral, and are guided through a program personalised to meet their individual needs.
General practitioners who would like to connect patients with the service are asked to call 1300MHCALL (1300 64 2255).
If you’d like to discuss The Way Back further, the PHN leads for the service are:
Central Queensland – Sam King SKing@ourphn.org.au
Wide Bay – Tim Byrne TByrne@ourphn.org.au
Sunshine Coast – Liam McKay LMckay@ourphn.org.au