The Mental Health Commission of Western Australia has engaged Telethon Kids Institute to assist in the development of an evidence informed universal aftercare model in Western Australia. They are seeking input from GPs in a series of online focus groups for GPs that will occur throughout June this year.
The experiences and perspectives of GPs are essential to inform what a best-practice aftercare program should look like in WA, to support individuals who have presented to the emergency department for a suicidal crisis.
Evidence shows that GPs are a critical gatekeeper for people who are experiencing suicidal distress. They are also often one of the first health professionals to be involved in a person’s care following discharge from the ED following a suicide attempt.
The online focus group will run for approximately 60 minutes and will prompt GPs to leverage their professional experience to identify the core components of a universal aftercare model in WA.
All information collected will be used exclusively for the preparation of a report to the Commision. The report is being prepared by Telethon Kids Institute and the University of Western Australia.
To share your knowledge, please register to participate in an online focus group here