Recommendation 27

The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health recommended the implementation of new suicide prevention and response programs, services and supports.

This includes training for workers that support people experiencing suicidal behaviour. For example, police officers, emergency department staff and family violence workers. The training will allow workers to provide more suitable and compassionate care.

Training for Victorians who work with communities was also recommended. This could include sports coaches, teachers and hospitality staff. The training would support them to develop their suicide awareness and prevention skills. Training should also include programs developed for and by Aboriginal communities and organisations.

The recommendation also called for more workplace suicide prevention and response programs and targeted initiatives to support people at risk of experiencing suicidal behaviour.

The Royal Commission identified a need for additional services and supports, including:

• aftercare programs for people who are experiencing suicidal behaviour or who have attempted suicide. These should include a specific aftercare service for the LGBTIQA+ community
• training for front-line workers
• training to support workforces and the community to support people experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours. This should include services for, and delivered by, Aboriginal communities
• statewide support for any person bereaved by suicide
• improved supports for people experiencing psychological distress.

What we've achieved

LGBTIQA+ aftercare service

• The Suicide Prevention and Response Office collaborated with Impact Co to co-design a new LGBTIQA+ aftercare model to support people after a suicide attempt, and/or self-harm for both young people and adults.
• As part of this work, Impact Co consulted with LGBTIQA+ community members and selected service providers to better understand community needs and identify gaps in existing support, this feedback helped shape a draft model of care that reflects lived experience and community priorities.
• A tender process to choose a service provider to deliver the new, co‑designed service will take place at a later stage. In the meantime, Mind Australia continues to deliver its existing LGBTIQA+ aftercare service, ensuring the community can still access tailored and supportive care.
• You can find information about the Mind Australia aftercare program on their website.

Postvention support

• Delivered in partnership with the Commonwealth Government, the statewide postvention support continues through the StandBy Support After Suicide program.
• The program is focused on supporting anyone who has been bereaved or impacted by suicide at any stage in their life.

Distress Support Service

• The Distress Support Service is a short-term, community-based service that supports adults who are experiencing distress but do need require emergency care. The service supports people for two to three weeks and provides a compassionate, non‑clinical response.
• The service helps people work through difficult life situations and build practical skills and confidence to better manage their distress.
• The new Distress Support Service trial was launched in September 2025 in two locations:
  • Darebin, offered by ermha365, in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and Switchboard Victoria.
  • Shepparton, offered by Mind Australia, in partnership with Primary Care Connect.
• These trials will help inform future decisions about expanding the service across Victoria.
• Read more about the Distress Support Service.

Zero Suicide Framework

• Safer Care Victoria’s Mental Health Improvement Unit has worked with 18 services to review how well their practices align with the Zero Suicide Framework, including close partnerships with five services and additional support for 13 others.

What we're doing

Distress Support Service

• An evaluation of the Distress Support Service trial will begin in 2026. The evaluation will check how well the service is meeting community needs and help inform decisions about the next stage of the trial.
• The Distress Support Service trial, known nationally as the Distress Brief Support program trial, is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.