HOPE Outreach program

The Hospital Outreach Post-suicidal Engagement program (also known as the HOPE Outreach program) is a recovery program up to 12 weeks long that provides enhanced support and outreach for people who are referred to Better Place Australia by Monash Health Dandenong.

 

About the HOPE Outreach program

The HOPE program is a community-based support service that recognises people are extremely vulnerable in the weeks and months after serious self-harm, a suicide attempt or serious ideation planning. The program is free and individually tailored to each person. A dedicated support coordinator and clinicians work with you to develop a personalised program, based on your needs. You can request after hours support sessions if your circumstances prevent you from meeting within service hours (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm).

 

The focus of the program

The focus of HOPE psychosocial support is exploring options for you to build a support network of friends and family while also linking you to professional services. Personal interaction and the importance of relationship building, is a part of this. The program also can help your carers and families to identify and build the protective factors that reduce the risk of a suicide attempt.

HOPE provides:

  • encouragement and support following discharge from the hospital
  • help developing a safety and support plan
  • you with connections to services that can help, such as community groups and financial or relationship counselling.

The program:

  • helps you to build and maintain a support network you can rely on for support.
  • helps you to find professional supports that work for you
  • connects you with community groups and social support
  • supports your family / friends / carers to build a strong and resilient support system for everyone.

It’s not always easy asking for help, but support and personal connection can make all the difference. By providing you with assertive, tailored, post-intervention support in the community, it is hoped the program will enhance your strategies to cope with the challenges you face, reducing the risk of suicide.

A dedicated support coordinator will help with:

1

Maintaining contact

The Better Place support coordinator will be available to maintain contact with you and provide encouragement and support for up to three months following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis. The support coordinator will liaise with the clinicians for development of a psychosocial support plan for you. You will see a clinician at various points thoughout your HOPE journey to check in with your mental health needs.

2

Community support services

Accessing:

  • legal aid
  • financial counselling
  • multi-cultural agency
  • social supports
  • family & relationship services
  • parenting support
  • youth services
  • housing support
  • and more.
3

Support networks

Connecting with:

  • neighbourhood houses
  • men’s sheds
  • multi-cultural associations
  • education and tutoring
  • social sport
  • outdoor activities and more.

Who is eligible?

The HOPE Outreach Program accepts referrals through Monash Hospital Dandenong.

To access the service, you need to be:

  • willing and consenting to involvement in HOPE
  • identified with psychosocial drivers of suicidality
  • aged 18 years+.

A dedicated support coordinator will work with clinical staff at the hospital to engage with you to arrange follow-up contact following discharge.

 

What happens next?

Shortly after you leave the hospital or community mental health service, a Better Place Australia support coordinator will be in touch to see how you are doing and if the HOPE Outreach Program is right for you.

A proven model of care

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.

Contact us

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

Need urgent assistance?

Suicide Call Back Service 24/7: 1300 659 467

Lifeline 24/7: 13 11 14

Monash Health Psychiatric Triage Service (PTS): 1300 369 012

Suicideline Victoria 24/7: 1300 651 251

Beyond Blue Support Service 24/7: 1300 22 4636

MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78

Kids Helpline 24/7: 1800 55 1800

Learn more

Read about the Centre for Better Relationships (CBR) research into suicide prevention. CBR is the research arm of Better Place Australia.

 

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