Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) commissioned Beacon Strategies to finalise the development of the Cairns and Hinterland Suicide Prevention Community Action Plan (SPCAP) in late 2019.

In light of the current COVID-19 health pandemic, the Cairns and Hinterland SPCAP project is being suspended for a period of six months. Although this decision was difficult to make, it was necessary given the serious nature of the pandemic itself but also due to the project requiring extensive stakeholder and community engagement.

Thank you to the current Community Advisory Group members for representing the perspectives of the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS), broader non-government organisation sector, people with a lived experience of suicidal thoughts or behaviours, Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisations, and the communities of Mareeba, Innisfail, Tablelands, and Douglas Shire. Your support for the project has been invaluable.

Additionally, thank you to all of the sector professionals who have engaged with the process so far via videoconference. Your input has been captured and will be built upon when the project recommences.

The SPCAP project will be suspended for six months, with a tentative review date scheduled in September to assess readiness for recommencement. In these uncertain times, it is not yet clear whether the project will be recommenced in late 2020, or held over until the start of 2021.

NQPHN, Beacon Strategies, Black Dog Institute, and Roses in The Ocean remain as committed as ever to developing the Cairns and Hinterland SPCAP and look forward to progressing the project when recommencement has been confirmed.

If you are interested in being notified when the project recommences, please contact Mitchell Stalker from Beacon Strategies via mmitch@beaconstrategies.net

Want to know more about the Cairns and Hinterland Suicide Prevention Community Action Plan?

NQPHN commissioned Beacon Strategies to finalise the development of the Cairns and Hinterland SPCAP. This project will lead to the collaborative refinement of the work done to date and result in locally-endorsed, coordinated suicide prevention activities across the region.

The implementation of a regional approach to suicide prevention is a key priority for NQPHN, who has committed to developing localised SPCAPs in Townsville, Mackay, and Cairns. Whilst the Townsville and Mackay plans are relatively well established, the Cairns and Hinterland SPCAP remains in the initial development stage.

The Cairns and Hinterland SPCAP will continue to be developed in alignment with the initiatives of CHHHS, the Black Dog Institute’s Lifespan model, community-based activities, and the evolving primary mental health stepped care environment.

The project will consolidate existing data, policy, research, and analysis, while seeking the opinions and experiences of people through consultation, to develop a Community Action Plan that will guide activities and commissioning by NQPHN into the future.