HOPE Outreach Program

The HOPE Outreach Program is a community-based support service that recognises people are extremely vulnerable in the weeks and months after a suicide attempt or serious ideation planning.

The program cannot be a one-size-fits-all model. It is individually tailored to each person. The focus of recovery is exploring options for the person to build a support network of friends and family while also linking them into professional services. Personal interaction and the importance of relationship building, is a part of this. The program also supports the person’s carers and families to identify and build the protective factors that reduce the risk of a suicide attempt.

By providing the person with assertive, tailored, post-intervention support in the community, it is hoped this will prevent avoidable suicide attempts.

An Australian study highlights how coordinated, assertive aftercare provided in programs like this can reduce suicide attempts by more than 19%. These personal relationships help keep people motivated to stay connected with their support networks and seek support when they need it.

Together, Monash Hospital and Better Place Australia form the HOPE team with an approach that is transforming the mental health system at Monash Health and more broadly. The HOPE service is an example of delivering a complete health recovery package comprising mental health and wellbeing treatment, care and support.

• Helping clients to build and maintain a support network they can call on when they need to
• Helping clients to find professional supports that work for them
• Connections with community groups and social support
• Supporting the family / friends / carers of our clients to build a strong and resilient support system for everyone.

The HOPE Outreach Program accepts referrals through Monash Hospital Dandenong. The  Coordinators work with staff at Dandenong to engage with clients while they are in hospital and arrange for follow-up contact following discharge.

The  HOPE Outreach Program is free. Monash Dandenong and Better Place Australia are there for people following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis. Dedicated support coordinators and clinicians work with the person to develop a personalised program, based on individual needs.

This can include:

• Encouragement and support following discharge from hospital
• Working with the person to develop a suicide safety and support plan
• Connecting the person with services that can help such as community groups and financial or relationship counselling

It’s not always easy asking for help, but support and personal connection can make all the difference.

Shortly after the person leaves hospital or a community mental health service, a Better Place Australia support coordinator will be in touch to see how the person is going and if the HOPE Outreach Program is right for them. The person is also welcome to contact us any time during the three months after leaving hospital.

For more information, call us weekdays, 9:00am-5:00pm on 1800 639 523.

Dial 000 or go to a hospital emergency department.

Suicide Call Back Service (24 hours) 1300 659 467

Lifeline (24 hours) 13 11 14

Monash Health Psychiatric Triage Service (PTS) 1300 369 012

What is the HOPE Outreach Program?

Listen to the podcast with Dr Rachel Bonnici from BPA about how the program gives hope for a better future to those who’ve attempted suicide.

How John was rescued from suicidal thoughts

Listen to the podcast with Cory, a BPA Practitioner, who shares how John was rescued from suicidal ideation through the HOPE Outreach Program.

Read about the Centre for Better Relationships (CBR) research into Suicide prevention.

CBR is the research arm of Better Place Australia.