Life Promotions Program

LIFE Framework - the National Suicide Prevention Strategy

The Living is for Everyone (LIFE) Framework has been developed under the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) to address the high rates of suicidal behaviour among identified population groups. This Framework guides and informs the implementation of the NSPS.

The NSPS commenced in 1999 and builds on the former National Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy (NYSPS). A key outcome of the NSPS is to support national suicide prevention activities across the life span and the Australian Government provides funding for the development of national and community based models of suicide prevention.

The focus of the NSPS includes people of all age groups and those identified as being at high risk, such as young men, rural residents, the elderly, people with substance use problems, prisoners, rural communities, people with mental illnesses, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As well as planning initiatives which impact across the lifespan there is an emphasis on promoting initiatives that aim to address risk and protective factors for suicide.

The Living is for Everyone: a Framework for the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm in Australia (LIFE Framework) aims to foster strategic partnerships and to position suicide prevention effort across all sectors. It was developed by the National Advisory Council on Youth Suicide Prevention, guided by consultation with key groups and evidence that suicide prevention requires a multi-faceted approach involving collaboration between all levels of government and the community.

The LIFE Framework promotes 6 Action Areas for suicide prevention activity:

1. Promoting well-being, resilience and community capacity across Australia
2. Enhancing protective factors and reducing risk factors for suicide and self harm across the Australian Community
3. Services and support within the community for groups at increased risk
4. Services for individuals at high risk
5. Partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
6. Progressing the evidence base for suicide prevention and good practice.

Currently the LIFE Framework consists of three companion documents:

• LIFE: Areas for action outlines the framework and identifies its major goals, principles and strategic performance indicators. Six action areas are presented which are linked to strategies for promoting mental health and preventing mental illness. Performance indicators for measuring progress toward achieving outcomes for each of the action areas are also provided.
• LIFE: Learnings about suicide sets the context for suicide prevention activity, and provides a profile of the incidence of suicide and the current knowledge of risk and protective factors across different age, population and identified at risk groups.
• LIFE: Building partnerships describes the many programs, organisations, and governments with an interest in, or potential overlap with suicide prevention.

A new stage of the NSPS is underway with organisations around the country applying for Community Based Funding. The Life Promotion Program and Waltja have applied collaboratively to work in three remote communities to help strengthen capacity through activities that build on resilience as well as developing resources focusing on suicide and mental health. The LPP Steering committee provided an avenue for discussions around this funding, priority areas for Central Australia and opportunities to collaborate rather than compete with each other.

For more info visit http://www.livingisforeveryone.com.au/LIFE-Framework.html