Pitch nights support funding for community suicide prevention

Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are independent organisations working to streamline health services and coordinate care across 31 regions in Australia.

They have a very broad but influential role in contributing to suicide prevention, early intervention and in reducing the stigma associated with suicide, attempted suicide and mental illness in Australia.

Recently, Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) held two pitch nights in Belmont and Tamworth for community organisations to share their suicide prevention ideas, as part of two crowdfunding events.

The pitch nights saw presentations from four local suicide prevention organisations, each showcasing an idea or initiative. Each pitch night attendee was given an opportunity to pledge $1500 of PHN funding towards the ideas and initiatives they believe best served the needs of their community. Unlike traditional tender process, this approach allowed members of the community to be part of the decision making for allocation of funding.

“The aim of the pitch nights was to provide funding to enhance the development of early intervention programs, as informed by local communities, to see a long-term reduction in suicide rates across the region” HNECC PHN Chief Executive Officer, Richard Nankervis said.

Alexandra Potter, Manager, Suicide Prevention and System Improvement, Hunter New England Local Health District, said innovation in suicide prevention is a necessity. “Every new idea has the potential to save lives across the Hunter, New England and Central Coast regions and I commend the PHN for not only supporting innovation but showcasing it in a way which drove community engagement and a reaffirmed commitment to suicide prevention in our communities.”

The four organisations who received $150,000 each of PHN funding through the HNECC PHN pitch night were:

• Lead by Story
• Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Corporation
• Youth Insearch Foundation
• Top Blokes Foundation

An additional $300,000 of PHN money was pledged by attendees to be shared across the four programs.

Watch a video capturing the event, or learn more about Hunter New England Primary Health Network.