Minds Together for family and friends supporting someone who has attempted suicide in Tasmania

Minds Together in Tasmania

Everymind has partnered with the Tasmanian Government to consult with the Tasmanian community, organisations and health services on how to best embed the online program, Minds Together for family and friends supporting someone who has attempted suicide, into existing service provision.

Tasmania currently has the third-highest suicide rate among Australian states and territories, ranking second highest in 2021.¹ The Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy (TSPS) identified the need for coordinated supports for families, friends and caregivers impacted by suicidal behaviour.

Minds Together is a suite of programs and resources that support the mental health and wellbeing of those who care for someone experiencing mental health concerns or suicidal distress and builds the capabilities of family and friends to better support someone following a suicide attempt, as well as improve their own mental health, wellbeing and coping.

The impact of a suicide attempt on family and friends

Family and friends are often the primary sources of support for individuals who have attempted suicide, and play a crucial role in encouraging engagement with specialised services.¹ While the role of providing care can be immensely rewarding, the impact of a suicide attempt on family and friends can be significant, often leaving them feeling overwhelmed and unsupported², with an increased risk of mental health and wellbeing concerns themselves.³ Family and friends who provide support to someone following a suicide attempt may experience significant impacts on their emotional, financial and social wellbeing.²

Family and friends have expressed their need for more resources and information that supports recovery and addresses stigma.^2,4 The impacts of caregiving can be mitigated by providing evidence-informed support programs that enhance self-efficacy, self-esteem and social support, thereby promoting the mental health and wellbeing of family and friends.^5,6

Minds Together digital portal for Tasmania

The Minds Together program provides an immediate opportunity to support family and friends supporting someone following a suicide attempt in Tasmania by providing Tasmanian families and friends free access to a universal digital platform with general information, links to Tasmanian supports and lived experience insights.

Through consultation with Tasmanian stakeholders, Everymind will determine the most effective ways to connect the Minds Together program to the existing service sector in Tasmania, increasing its reach in the community and plan for the immediate and longer-term approach to implementation. Service providers and community members in Tasmania can access the survey here.

For more information, visit the Minds Together website for Tasmania.

What family and friends of someone who has attempted suicide have said about Minds Together

“Giving myself permission to take time to do what I need/want to do - improved communication with the person I care for and helped us consider each other’s perspectives.” - Parent.

“I have been able to refer to some of the ideas and experiences shared in the materials provided in the program. Especially around prioritising self-care.”- Parent.

“Devising a support plan with my daughter has been really helpful for her and me…it has reduced my worry when I’m out of town etc.” – Parent.

“Hearing stories from other families was very helpful and comforting to me.” – Parent.