Mental Health Policy and Practice Unit

Our Research Projects

• Suicide prevention public services announcements (PSAs) targeting adolescents: A randomised controlled trial

  This project is examining whether a suicide prevention public service announcement (PSA) that is made for young people by young people can influence help-seeking intentions.

• National Suicide Prevention Trial (NSPT) evaluation

  We are evaluating the implementation and outcomes of the National Suicide Prevention Trial, a major initiative that involves 11 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), using a range of data sources and methods.

• LIFEWAYS: Translating suicide prevention research into policy and practice

  LIFEWAYS is designed to achieve the Australian Government's commitment to working towards reducing suicide deaths and suicidal behaviour across the Australian population.

• Strengthening the evidence base for suicide prevention

  This program of work addresses major gaps in knowledge about suicide prevention, organised around four workstreams.

• The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on suicides around the world

  This project is examining whether the cost-of-living crisis is having an impact on suicides globally.

• Independent evaluation of Medicare Mental Health Centres and Head to Health Phone Service

  A consortium comprising Monash University and the University of Melbourne is evaluating the 20 Medicare Mental Health Centres (previously ‘Head to Health Centres’) that commenced in 2021-2023 and the Head to Health Phone Service introduced in July 2022.

• Evaluation of R U OK?

  This project is using national population survey data collected from June 2018 to September 2023 to examine whether exposure to the R U OK? campaign has increased, and the impact of R U OK? on help giving and help receiving attitudes and behaviour, over time.

• Postvention Protocol Guidelines

  This project will involve a Delphi study to harness vital practice-based evidence and develop consensus guidance to inform the implementation of Postvention Protocol Response Groups (PPRGs).

• The Survivor – Using social media to tell stories of hope following a suicidal crisis

  The aim of this suicide prevention social media campaign is to reach people who are considering suicide and encouraging them to find some hope.

• Evaluation of Every life

  Every life: the Queensland Suicide Prevention Plan 2019-2029 provides an action plan for whole-of-government action to reduce the burden and impact of suicide in Queensland.

• Better identifying and characterising suicide hotspots

  The project involves using novel statistical techniques to systematically identify and characterise frequently used suicide locations in Australia.

• Reducing self-harm, suicide and early mortality in marginalised young people

  This project will generate evidence on which we can base decisions regarding the best treatment options and the young people who will most benefit from them, including vulnerable populations at increased risk.

• The Buoy Project

  The Buoy Project is a research collaboration that addresses the evidence gap in effective suicide prevention interventions for boys and men in Australia.

• The impact of interventions at frequently used suicide locations on occurrence of suicides at other sites

  Our systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesise the findings from relevant studies to draw a comprehensive conclusion about the effectiveness of various interventions in preventing suicide at frequently used locations.

• Impact of macroeconomic factors on suicide in Australia

  This study aims to examine the impact of a range of macroeconomic factors on suicide in Australia.

• Assessment of the implementation of Suicide Observatory in Cork and Kerry, Ireland

  The aim of this project is to conduct an independent evaluation of the implementation of the Suicide Observatory in Cork and Kerry against the aims and objectives of the Suicide Observatory, with a focus on process, outcomes and outputs.

• Barriers and facilitators to help-seeking in men bereaved by suicide

  The Centre for Mental Health and Community Wellbeing was commissioned by StanDy Support After Suicide to conduct a study specifically on men bereaved by suicide.