The Way Back Support Service
Helping you to take action to stay safe and connect to the supports that are right for you.
The Way Back Support Service is a Beyond Blue initiative providing non-clinical care and practical support to individuals for up to three months following a suicide attempt. The period just after a suicide attempt is recognised as a vulnerable time and the Way Back Support Service aims to prevent further harm.
The Way Back Support Service is delivered by Hunter Primary Care, working in close collaboration with our local partners including Calvary Mater Newcastle, Hunter New England Mental Health Services and Everymind.
The Way Back is funded by Beyond Blue, HNECC Primary Health Network and NSW Ministry of Health Suicide Prevention fund. The Way Back gratefully acknowledges seed funding from Movember Foundation.
How we can help
Where possible, the Calvary Mater Newcastle will aim to introduce you to a Way Back Support Coordinator during your admission. Shortly after leaving hospital, a Support Coordinator will be in touch to offer support, help to connect with services and to develop your own individual safety plan.
The Way Back Support Coordinators can assist you by:
- providing encouragement and support for your wellbeing
- helping you to follow your hospital discharge and safety plans
- supporting you to connect with your GP and other community services that may help in your recovery (e.g. Relationships Australia, community housing)
- helping you to connect with support networks.
Your Support Coordinator will continue to keep in contact with you regularly over the three months. Depending on your needs, you may choose to keep in contact with your coordinator in person, by phone and/or email.
Who is the service for?
The Way Back Support Service works closely with Calvary Mater Newcastle who links people directly with The Way Back following a deliberate self-poisoning event. There are some exclusions that apply: The service will not be offered where the treating clinician deems that a short-term service will not be beneficial, where there are safety concerns for workers or if you live outside the Hunter Region.
The Service has also introduced an additional referral pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have experienced a recent suicide attempt. In this instance referrals can be made directly to The Way Back Support Service by completing our referral form.
Contact The Way Back Support Service
Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm
Phone: 1300 364 184
Email: thewayback@hunterprimarycare.com.au
Privacy
We treat your information with care and in line with privacy legislation.
The collaboration between The Way Back Support Service and Calvary Mater Newcastle is part of a trial initiative that is aiming to reduce further episodes of deliberate self-poisoning. [DA1] For the purposes of evaluation, some information about your contact with us will be used, but this will not be linked with any identifying information such as your name or address. If you do not wish your data to be included in the evaluation, or have any questions, please talk to your Support Coordinator. Read our Privacy Statement.