Projects Mental Health, Public & Preventative Health

National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program - evaluation framework and data collection

Projects Mental Health, Public & Preventative Health

National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program - evaluation framework and data collection

Projects Mental Health, Public & Preventative Health

National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program - evaluation framework and data collection

  • Services

    Evaluation & Advisory

  • Status

    Current

  • Client

    Australian Government Department of Health

  • Jurisdiction

    Australia

The National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program (NSPL&SP) funds organisations to deliver national suicide prevention activities. $44.5 million has been allocated to the program from 2017 to 2020, and 18 national projects are currently funded.

18 funded project currently provide one or more of the following services:

Non-individual national services:
– National Leadership
– Research
– Workforce Related Activities
– Media and Communication Strategies
– Community Education and Support

Individual Client Services:
– National Support Services for Individuals at Risk of Suicide.

AHA role

AHA was engaged to develop the activity reporting requirements (minimum data set) and facilitate ongoing monthly reporting by projects.  This data will assist with the overall evaluation of the NSPL&SP.

AHA’s role included:

  • Conducted stakeholder consultation sessions to determine how reporting can best capture project activities
  • Developed a minimum data set (MDS) in collaboration with the Department and its advisors
  • Developed and administered an online portal for projects to submit monthly MDS activity reporting
  • Developed training material and provided online seminars to support projects to use the online portal
  • Developed an evaluation framework for the NSPL&SP.

AHA’s focus in developing the MDS, was to:

  • Build on the previous National Suicide Prevention Program MDS, which was used up to the end of 2017
  • Reflect the work and and activities undertaken by NSPL&SP projects under the funding streams
  • Tie in with other related data collections, in particular the Primary Mental Health Care MDS reported by organisations undertaking Primary Health Network commissioned mental health and suicide prevention services funded by the Australian Government.

Project reporting against the MDS commenced in April 2018.

AHA’s ongoing role includes:

  • Administering and maintaining the online portal
  • Managing the monthly data collection process and assisting projects as required
  • Providing analysis reports to the Department.
Each year, more than 3,000 Australians take their own lives. The National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program funds national projects which aim to reduce suicidal behaviour and deaths by suicide.