Suicide and Self-Harm Services

A fast response service to patients who have expressed or acted on suicidal or self-harm ideas

Patients with a recent increase in risk of suicide or self-harm who have been assessed at increased risk by a GP, have expressed increased risk or have presented following a recent suicide or self-harm event may be referred to Hunter Primary Care’s Suicide and Self-Harm Services. The recent event may have been triggered by a psychosocial stressor such as a relationship breakdown, financial stress or physical illness.

The patient does not need to meet criteria for a mental health disorder to access this service.

Unfortunately, the service is not appropriate for the following patients:

• Those with longer-term mental illness
• When the suicide attempt and self-harm is part of a long term behaviour pattern
• Those with alcohol or other drug dependence
• Patients who are already receiving services from mental health services

What services are provided?

If risk issues are identified in the referral process, our team will contact the patient within 24 hours of receipt of the referral to undertake a phone assessment. If the team determine that the patient is eligible for our service, the patient will be offered an appointment within 72 hours. Ineligible patients will be reviewed for other Hunter Primary Care programs or referred to other health services as required.

Patients can access regular psychological intervention (face to face and/or telehealth) to address the issues associated with increased risk of harm for a period of up to two months. This includes ongoing monitoring of risk and referral on to other tertiary (specialised) services if more appropriate.

After two months, patients can access other Hunter Primary Care mental health services or be referred onto other services as required.

At all stages of the treatment, GPs will be provided information about the care and outcomes with their patients.