Development of the Australian Suicide Prevention Planning Model (AuSPPM)
As part of the Department of Health and Aged Care funded LIFEWAYS consortium on suicide prevention research translation led by The University of Melbourne, the QCMHR Mental Health Services Research Stream has developed a national suicide prevention needs-based service planning model now referred to as the AuSPPM. The model was developed in collaboration with a national expert advisory group and other relevant stakeholders, including people with lived experience of suicide.
The AuSPPM is of a similar structure and designed to complement the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF). Just as the NMHSPF quantifies the need for mental health services, the AuSPPM quantifies the number of people in the Australian population with a need for suicide prevention services at different levels. It includes a taxonomy of the interventions/services required by these need groups and models the appropriate workforce/team required to deliver care. As such, the model can be used to produce estimates of the resourcing required to deliver suicide prevention services to meet population needs across Australia and at state/territory and regional levels.
The current modelling tool and accompanying technical documentation are publicly available on the Life in Mind website, along with an introductory webinar recording on the model’s development and use. Training workshops on the practical applications of the AuSPPM are being held for potential end-users throughout 2025-2026.
This initial model development provides a starting point that may be further enhanced for specific regions or populations in future projects. Further consultation is also currently underway to enhance its applicability for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
To download the model, register for available workshop sessions or learn more, visit the official AuSPPM webpage here.
