Suicide prevention services

Universal Aftercare (The Way Back Support Service) is a non-clinical support service focused on providing practical psychosocial support to people experiencing a suicidal crisis or who have attempted suicide.

Clients are able to access up to three months of non-clinical support coordination and care navigation which facilitates their access to community services that meet their needs. Initial contact is made with the client within one business day of referral.

In the Redcliffe/Caboolture region, The Way Back is delivered by Richmond Fellowship Queensland and supports people who are 15 years of age and older, who reside in the region, with referrals accepted ONLY from Redcliffe and Caboolture Hospitals.

In the inner city region, The Way Back is delivered by Communify and supports people from 15 years of age and older, who reside in the region, with referrals accepted ONLY from Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and The Prince Charles Hospital.

The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) delivers Universal Aftercare (The Way Back Support Service) across the Brisbane North region for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over who have experienced a suicidal crisis or are at risk of suicide.

The service provides up to six months of culturally safe, trauma-informed aftercare support, working with individuals, families, kinship networks and healthcare providers to support recovery and wellbeing following a suicidal crisis.

Using a holistic approach grounded in culture and community, support workers help participants strengthen protective factors, access clinical and community supports, enhance social connectedness, and develop strategies to support ongoing wellbeing and recovery.

This service complements existing clinical care and supports improved coordination between health services and community-based supports.

Suitable referrals from Community Health, Hospital and Healthcare providers include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over who are experiencing suicidal distress, have recently experienced a suicidal crisis, or would benefit from culturally safe aftercare support.

The Family and Friends Support Service provides peer-led support for family members, carers, friends, and significant others who are supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress, recovering from a suicide attempt or following significant self-injury.

The program recognises the emotional, social and practical impacts of the caring role and aims to strengthen the wellbeing and resilience of carers through a range of supports, including peer connection, educational workshops, support groups, practical resources, service navigation, advocacy and proactive follow-up.

The service is delivered in partnership with Universal Aftercare providers across Brisbane North, including Communify, Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ), and the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), ensuring family members and carers can access support alongside existing aftercare services.

Suitable referrals include Brisbane North residents aged 18 years and over who are supporting a person who has experienced a suicidal crisis or significant self-injury. Referrals can be made through Universal Aftercare, health professionals, community services or via self-referral.

The Brisbane North Safe Space Network provides free, anonymous, peer led support in accessible community-based locations, creating non-clinical and welcoming spaces for people experiencing psychological distress. Trained peer workers draw on their own lived experience of distress and recovery to provide intervention, connection, grounding, quiet spaces, sensory resources and opportunities to feel safe, heard and understood.

Visit the Safe Spaces Network Page.

First Nations owned and operated, Youth 2 Knowledge Project deliver First Nations Suicide Prevention training programs with an aim to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, particularly youth, in suicide statistic.

Yarn Circle addresses the unique needs of Indigenous youth, helping them navigate mental health challenges through culturally sensitive education. Project Yarn Circle’s primary goal is to reduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth suicide. This is achieved by increasing resilience through cultural connection and encouraging help-seeking behaviour by reducing stigma.

The program is centred around yarning circles, a traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practice where cultural knowledge, storytelling, and two-way learning are exchanged between students, Elders, and community facilitators. This culturally safe environment fosters collaboration, promotes self-esteem, hope for the future and connects students with local services for ongoing support. The program was co-developed with community members, Elders, and local health networks, ensuring its cultural integrity and relevance.

Y2K compliment the delivery of Project Yarn Circle with targeted training for Adults in community and frontline workers to uplift awareness and skills to effectively respond to suicide crisis.