1. About The Way Back Support Service
    On average 65,000 people attempt suicide in Australia each year and nine per day will die.
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The Way Back Support Service

The Way Back Support Service

People who have attempted suicide or experienced a suicidal crisis often experience severe distress in the days and weeks immediately afterwards, and they are at high risk of attempting again.

Beyond Blue developed The Way Back Support Service to support them through this critical risk period. A Support Coordinator contacts the person within one business day of receiving their referral and tailors a program for up to three months after discharge from hospital. This program is built on personal connection and integration with community services.

Encouraging results in trial sites led to an Australian Government Budget announcement of $37.6 million for Beyond Blue to roll out The Way Back to up to 30 sites across the country.

Fiona's experience with The Way Back Support Service

It was just such a relief to know that someone was there for me and just to have someone to call.

Current sites

Queensland

Please note The Way Back Support Service is not a self-referred service. Referrals are made through existing clinical pathways in each region.

Northern Queensland

Launched May 2021

Location: Cairns and Hinterland, Cassowary Coast, Douglas Shire, Tablelands and Western Tablelands regions

The Way Back Northern Queensland is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Queensland Government, in partnership with the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network and delivered by Wellways.

Gold Coast

Launched July 2020

Location: Gold Coast & Robina 

The Way Back Gold Coast is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Queensland Government, in partnership with the Gold Coast Primary Health Network and delivered by Wesley Mission.

Central Queensland

Launched March 2021

Location: Rockhampton and Gladstone

The Way Back Central Queensland is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health in partnership with the Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast Primary Health Network and delivered by Anglicare.

Wide Bay

Launched March 2021

Location: Bundaberg, Hervey Bay & Maryborough & Geynder

The Way Back Wide Bay is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Queensland Government, in partnership with the Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast Primary Health Network and delivered by Richmond Fellowship Queensland.

Sunshine Coast

Launched march 2021

Location: Sunshine Coast, Nambour, Caloundra

The Way Back Sunshine Coast is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health in partnership with the Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast Primary Health Network and delivered by Open Minds.

Western Queensland

Launched June 2021

Location: Mount Isa

The Way Back Western Queensland is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Queensland Government, in partnership with the Western Queensland Primary Health Network and delivered by selectability.

Brisbane South

Launched January 2021

Location: Brisbane South

The Way Back Brisbane South is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Queensland Government, in partnership with the Brisbane South Primary Health Network and delivered by Wesley Mission Queensland

Brisbane North

Launched February 2018

Location: Redcliffe & Caboolture

The Way Back Brisbane North is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health in partnership with the Brisbane North Primary Health Network and delivered by Richmond Fellowship Queensland.

Darling Downs and West Moreton

Launched October 2019

Location: Toowoomba and Ipswich

The Way Back Darling Downs and West Moreton is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Queensland Government, in partnership with the Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network and delivered by Richmond Fellowship Queensland.

New South Wales

Please note The Way Back Support Service is not a self-referred service. Referrals are made through existing clinical pathways in each region.

Western NSW

Launched August 2021

Location: Broken Hill

The Way Back Western New South Wales is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the NSW Government, in partnership with the Broken Hill Primary Health Network and delivered by Mission Australia.

Newcastle

Launched April 2016

Location: Hunter New England and Central Coast

The Way Back Newcastle is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the NSW Government, in partnership with the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network and delivered by Hunter Primary Care.

Gosford/Wyong 

Launched February 2021

Location: Hunter New England and Central Coast

The Way Back Gosford/Wyong is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the NSW Government, in partnership with the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network and delivered by Coast and Country Primary Care.

Murrumbidgee

Launched February 2018

Location: Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Young, Deniliquin

The Way Back Murrumbidgee is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the NSW Government, in partnership with the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network and delivered by Wellways.

South Western Sydney

Launched April 2021

Location: Campbelltown, Liverpool

The Way Back South Western Sydney is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the NSW Government, in partnership with the South Western Sydney Primary Health Network and delivered by Grand Pacific Health.

Western Sydney (WentWest)

Launched January 2021

Location: Westmeade, Mount Druitt

The Way Back Western Sydney (WentWest) is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the NSW Government, in partnership with the Western Sydney Primary Health Network and delivered by Neami.

North Coast

Launched August 2018

Location: Tweed, Lismore, Grafton, Byron

The Way Back Western North Coast is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the NSW Government, in partnership with the North Coast Primary Health Network and delivered by New Horizons.

Sydney North

Launched January 2021

Location: Northern Beaches

The Way Back Sydney North is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the NSW Government, in partnership with the Sydney North Primary Health Network and delivered by CCNB.

Central and Eastern Sydney (Southern)

Launched April 2021

Location: Sutherland Shire, Kogarah

The Way Back Central and Eastern Sydney (Southern) is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the NSW Government, in partnership with the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network and delivered by Neami National.

Central and Eastern Sydney (Northern)

Launched October 2020

Location: Camperdown, Randwick, Darlinghurst, Canterbury, Concord

The Way Back Central and Eastern Sydney (Northern) is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health in partnership with the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network and delivered by Neami National.

 

Victoria

Please note The Way Back Support Service is not a self-referred service. Referrals are made through existing clinical pathways in each region.

Grampians

Launched August 2020

Location: Ballarat, Horsham, Arrarat

The Way Back Grampians is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Victorian Government, in partnership with the Western Victoria Primary Health Network and delivered by Wellways.

Mildura

Launched July 2020

Location: Mildura, Robinvale

The Way Back Mildura is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Victorian Government, in partnership with the Murray Primary Health Newtwork and delivered by Wellways.

Geelong

Launched December 2017

Location: Geelong, Colac

The Way Back Geelong is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Victorian Government, in partnership with the Western Victoria Primary Health Network (Barwon Health) and delivered by Barwon Child Youth & Families.

Great South Coast

Launched August 2020

Location: Warrnambool, Hamilton

The Way Back Great South Coast is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Victorian Government, in partnership with the Western Victoria Primary Health Network and delivered by Wellways.

South Eastern Melbourne (Casey)

Launched November 2018

Location: Casey

The Way Back South Eastern Melbourne (Casey) is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Victorian Government, in partnership with the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network and delivered by Better Place.

South Eastern Melbourne (Dandenong)

Launched Novemeber 2018

Location: Dandenong

The Way Back South Eastern Melbourne (Dandenong) is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Victorian Government, in partnership with the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network and delivered by Better Place.

Gippsland

Launched February 2020

Location: Gippsland area

The Way Back Gippsland Central is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Victorian Government, in partnership with the Gippsland Primary Health Network and delivered by Wellways.

Bendigo

Launched November 2018

Location: Bendigo

The Way Back Bendigo is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Victorian Government, in partnership with the Bendigo Health Service and delivered by Mind.

South Australia

Please note The Way Back Support Service is not a self-referred service. Referrals are made through existing clinical pathways in each region.

Adelaide

Launched December 2020

Location: Adelaide Central

The Way Back Adelaide is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the South Australian Government, in partnership with the Adelaide Primary Health Network and delivered by Anglicare.

Australian Capital Territory

Please note The Way Back Support Service is not a self-referred service. Referrals are made through existing clinical pathways in each region.

Canberra

Launched October 2016

Location: Woden

The Way Back Canberra is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Australian Capital Territory Government, in partnership with the ACT Primary Health Network and delivered by Woden Community Services.

Northern Territory

Please note The Way Back Support Service is not a self-referred service. Referrals are made through existing clinical pathways in each region.

Darwin

Launched 2014-15, recommissioned May 2020.

The Way Back Darwin is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Northern Territory Government, in partnership with the Northern Territory Primary Health Network and delivered by Team Health.

Tasmania

Please note The Way Back Support Service is not a self-referred service. Referrals are made through existing clinical pathways in each region.

Hobart

The Way Back Hobart is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Tasmanian Government, in partnership with the Primary Health Tasmania Primary Health Network and delivered by Anglicare.

Launceston

The Way Back Launceston is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Tasmanian Government, in partnership with the Tasmania Primary Health Network and delivered by Anglicare.

The Way Back evaluations

2022

National evaluation 

Beyond Blue commissioned Nous Group to independently evaluate the national expansion of The Way Back from June 2020 to November 2022. This interim evaluation report provides findings on the design, implementation and delivery of The Way Back Support Service across 25 Australian sites. 

The interim report found significant reductions in participant psychological distress and suicidal ideation and significant increases in emotional wellbeing. It will inform ongoing improvements to The Way Back and provide additional evidence on the elements of successful aftercare services. 

The report is accompanied by a response to the report by Beyond Blue, and our What Does Good Aftercare Look Like? design principles. The final report will be available in December 2022.

Download The Way Back Support Service Interim Evaluation Short Report 

Download the Beyond Blue Response to The Way Back Support Service Interim Evaluation Short Report

Download the What Does Good Suicide Aftercare Look Like? design principles  

2019

Hunter evaluation

Beyond Blue commissioned an independent evaluation of The Way Back in the Hunter New England region of NSW, conducted by a consortium of Calvary Mater Hospital, the University of Newcastle, Hunter Primary Care and Everymind.

This single-site evaluation found:

  • 97 percent of people reported positive progress on their recovery plan
  • Psychological distress scores dropped, on average, from severe to mild
  • People reported less concern about the issues contributing to their attempt, as well as fewer of those issues.

Beyond Blue is preparing to undertake an evaluation of all The Way Back sites operating across Australia to assess the impact and effectiveness of the service model at scale.

Download The Way Back evaluation executive summary

Download The Way Back evaluation full report

Download the Sax Institute ECheck Suicide Aftercare Services Report

The Way Back information resources

Beyond Blue and the Hunter Institute of Mental Health have developed the resources below for people who have attempted suicide and their close family and friends.

Finding your way back

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If you have attempted suicide

Getting your life back on track after attempting suicide is not easy. It takes time to recover physically and emotionally. Things might feel out of control and you might find yourself asking, what now?

Finding your way back has been written to help you begin to answer important questions about your future wellbeing.

Download the Finding your way back booklet

Guiding their way back

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If you are supporting someone who has attempted suicide

Having someone you care about attempt suicide can be incredibly traumatic. You might respond with anger, fear or sadness.

Guiding their way back provides practical information about the impact a suicide can have. It talks about why people attempt suicide, how they might be feeling and, importantly, what you can do to provide support.

Download the Guiding their way back booklet

Finding our way back

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A resource specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people after a suicide attempt

Finding our way back was developed with major input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their family and friends. It’s a starting point for working through some of the questions that can come up after a suicide attempt.

Download the Finding our way back booklet

 

View The Way Back Support Service Privacy Collection Statement
1. To find the reference for the research and statistics on this page, please visit the references page and search through the suicide category.

Crisis support

If you are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact emergency services on 000. Other services include:
Lifeline
13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467

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