The Way Back Support Service NSW
Fact sheet for health professionals
What is The Way Back Support Service?
Who is eligible for this service?
The Way Back Support Service is a beyondblue
initiative providing non-clinical care and practical
support to individuals for up to three months
following a suicide attempt.
Individuals who are admitted to the Calvary Mater
Newcastle following a deliberate self-poisoning event
and reside within the Hunter area of the Hunter New
England Local Health District will be eligible for the
service. The Way Back Support Coordinators will work
with hospital staff at the Calvary Mater Newcastle and
Hunter New England Mental Health units to engage with
clients while they are in hospital and arrange for follow-up
contact following discharge.
Take action
after a suicide
attempt.
The trial is funded until January 2018 and will be subject
to a formal evaluation led by Prof Greg Carter and Assoc
Prof Mihalopooulos.
The Way Back Support Service is delivered by a consortium
led by Hunter Primary Care and includes Calvary Mater
Newcastle, Hunter New England Mental Health Services,
Hunter Institute of Mental Health and Relationships
Australia NSW.
Why provide this service?
We
Encourage. Support. Connect.
The Way Back Support Service aims to prevent further
episodes of self-harm by providing proactive non-clinical
support and coordination of patient access to services in
the community for up to three months following discharge.
The Way Back Support Coordinators will:
can assist you to stay safe,
The period just after a suicide attempt can be a very
maintain
contact andyou
provide encouragement
take the next steps•and
connect
vulnerable time. Hospital-treated deliberate self-poisoning
and support
is associated with a 15 per cent
rate and a 1 that are right for you.
torepetition
the supports
• encourage the uptake of hospital discharge plans
per cent suicide rate after 12 months. In the days and
weeks immediately following an attempt it is important
that flexible, proactive assistance is available. Reduction
to the risk of repetition may be achieved by good medical
after-care,
Anglicare
NTplus
– improved personal support, access
to Way
information
and referrals,
The
Back Support
Servicestrengthening of social
connections,
and reduced exposure to significant triggers
Phone:
8985 0000
such as relationship difficulties, financial problems, drug
NTand
Crisis
Assessment
alcohol
misuse and family disputes.
and Triage (CAT) Team
Phone: 1800 682 288
and utilisation of safety plans
• support attendance at medical and allied health
appointments
• facilitate access to a range of community support
services (e.g. Relationships Australia, community
This project is proudly
housing)
funded
with donations from
• assist clients to connect with support
networks
The
Movember
Foundation.
(e.g. Men’s Shed)
The Way Back Support Service operates during business
hours Monday to Friday. The service is based within the
Newcastle office of Hunter Primary Care with Support
Coordinators attending the Calvary Mater Newcastle daily
to meet with new clients. Presentations to hospital on
weekends or after hours will be followed up via phone call
during the next business day.
Crisis intervention is redirected to existing clinical
pathways including Hunter New England Mental Health
Services. Clients are routinely provided with information on
emergency mental health contacts and are encouraged to
use 24/7 crisis helpline services if they are feeling suicidal
or are concerned about someone else’s safety.
Support for partners, family and friends
To assist in the client’s recovery, Guiding their way back is
an affiliated service that provides support and education
to partners, family members and other support people.
This service is run by Relationships Australia and Hunter
Institute of Mental Health. Contact Relationships Australia
NSW directly (4940 1500) to make enquiries, or feel free to
contact The Way Back Support Service to discuss.
Further information
You are welcome to contact Danielle Adams
(Operations Manager) on 1300 364 184 or via email:
[email protected]
How are clients linked into the service?
The Way Back Support Service
The referral pathway is integrated within the Calvary Mater
Newcastle. All presentations to the Mater following a
deliberate self-poisoning with suicidal intent will have the
opportunity to be part of the service. This is not a clinical
service and will be offered free of charge, in addition to any
existing services.
Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.00pm
Phone 1300 364 184
Fax
02 4926 0529
Hunter Primary Care
PO Box 572 Newcastle, NSW 2300
Some exclusions will apply:
• Where there are safety concerns for workers.
• Where the client resides outside of the Hunter region
of the Hunter New England Local Health District.
BL1711_08/16
• Where it is deemed that a short-term service will not
be beneficial to the client. This will be determined by
the treating clinician.