New Suicide Prevention Guidelines for Emergency Departments Launched

See original story from Black Dog Institute here.

Black Dog Institute, Suicide Prevention Australia and Amber’s White Light have introduced new Suicide Prevention Guidelines for Emergency Departments (ED Guidelines).  

As the number of individuals presenting to Emergency Departments with mental health concerns and in suicidal crises continues to rise, it is crucial to ensure that they receive the best possible care.  

Although the ED is not the ideal environment for those experiencing suicidal distress, it remains a crucial point of support for those who need immediate assistance and cannot currently maintain their own safety in the community. For clinical staff, providing complex care within stringent organisational and legal frameworks, and determining the most appropriate referrals for patients, can be particularly challenging.  

“Often we’re finding space in a corridor or in the waiting room or in a chair to make an assessment of someone experiencing suicidal crisis because we don’t have the space or resourcing. That creates a dilemma for the doctor or the nurse because they want to give the best care they can, but they have to do their best in a very difficult situation.”

– Dr James Gaston, ED Staff Specialist at Campbelltown Hospital  

These guidelines are designed to provide best practice protocols for EDs nationwide, irrespective of their size or available resources. First developed in 2017 as part of the LifeSpan research project, these Guidelines have been extensively revised and updated following thorough consultation with consumer groups, peak bodies, and associations to make sure they are relevant to emergency departments today. 

The updated ED Guidelines cover several key areas: 

• Training and Skills: Essential training for ED staff to effectively respond to individuals in suicidal crisis
• Team Structure: Best practice recommendations for team composition in acute settings, acknowledging the diverse staffing and funding scenarios across EDs nationwide
• Response Actions: Detailed actions that staff can take to provide an empathetic, compassionate, and effective response to individuals in suicidal crisis 
• Resources and Referrals: Guidelines on the resources required for patients, carers, families, and clinicians, and how to facilitate appropriate aftercare and follow-up services

“One of the things I really love about the guidelines is that they’re really pragmatic and they are a really practical document in terms of the way that they can be applied”

– Dr Amanda Cohn, Former GP and Current NSW Greens Spokesperson for Health including Mental Health 

Our launch event featured an expert panel, including Associate Professor Fiona Shand, Dr. Amanda Cohn MLC, Dr. James Gaston, and Glenn Cotter, who shared their valuable insights and expertise. The discussions highlighted the systemic issues faced by EDs, such as staffing and funding levels, and underscored the potential of these Guidelines to improve the experience and quality of care for those seeking help in times of distress.  

The webinar also featured the Lived Experience story of Richard and Tamara Wraith, whose daughter, Amber, died by suicide after presenting to an ED on multiple occasions.  They are leading advocates in this space who have been closely involved with this re launch process. If you’d like to learn more about their work with Amber’s White Light, please visit their website.

What we know is that the implementation of guidelines like these can face significant barriers, some of which were outlined at the launch. To this end, we are pleased that Suicide Prevention Australia will be leading advocacy for these guidelines going forward. As the national peak body for suicide prevention, they are uniquely placed to engage both politicians and local health districts nationwide to facilitate implementation  

We trust that these Guidelines will serve as a crucial tool in enhancing the support and care provided in Emergency Departments across the country, ensuring that individuals in suicidal crisis receive the compassionate and effective care they need.

Centre for Better Relationships  (CBR) is the research, advocacy and policy arm of Better Place Australia. As part of our work, we point to latest news from the sector. The research CBR undertakes is an invaluable resource for many projects and initiatives. Meaningful and insightful research supports Better Place Australia’s commitment to helping Australians lead better lives through stronger relationships.