Family and friends supporting someone who has attempted suicide
Do you support or provide care to someone who has attempted suicide?
Family and friends play an important role in supporting the estimated 65,000 Australians who attempt suicide each year. This support role is often fulfilling, but it can also be challenging and stressful.
While services and support for people who have attempted suicide is increasing, we don’t know a lot about the needs of family and friends who provide support.
What is Everymind doing to help?
We have developed a new online program specifically for family and friends supporting someone who has attempted suicide. This short, self-paced program aims to build your skills, knowledge and confidence to support your family member or friend.
Our research project aims to provide family and friends with the tools and resources they need to support someone who has attempted suicide. We hope to learn how people engage with the program and identify any benefits.
Take part in our research trial
We are seeking family and friends who are:
- Aged 18 years or older
- Living in Australia
- Currently supporting an adult (aged 18 years or older) who has attempted suicide
- Comfortable communicating in English
- Comfortable using web-based programs.
How does the research project work?
As part of the trial of our new program, you will be invited to take a series of online surveys on REDCap, a secure and confidential online survey platform.
You will take your first survey before you begin the program. You will then get automatic access to the program and a social forum to connect with family and friends like you OR automatic access to just the program.
You will take an online survey after finishing the program and again three months later. You will also be invited to an optional phone interview seeking feedback on the program, peer support forum and your experiences as a caregiver.
Participation in this research is completely voluntary and unpaid. Read the Participant Information Sheet to learn more.
Everymind acknowledges Suicide Prevention Australia for providing an Innovation Research Grant to support this feasibility trial.
Research ethics information
This pilot study has been approved by the Hunter New England Human Research Ethics Committee of Hunter New England Local Health District (Approval No. 2022/ETH02126) to be conducted at the Everymind site.
Should you have any complaints about this research, in the first instance, you may wish to contact the Chief Investigator, Dr Sally Fitzpatrick, via email: [email protected] or by phone: (02) 4924 6900.
If an independent person is preferred, please contact the Human Research Ethics Officer, Hunter New England Research Office via email: [email protected] or by phone: (02) 4921 4140.