Way Back Support Service

What is the Way Back Support Service?

The Way Back Support Service provides practical, non-clinical support following a suicide attempt. The service aims to assist individuals and their families by linking them with appropriate support services to help manage life situations and challenges.

People who have attempted suicide are identified as being at significant risk and the 24 hours, one week and up to three months following a suicide attempt are critical to ensuring people keep safe and have the opportunity to work through the hardships which are affecting their lives.

How does the Way Back Support Service help?

Over three months, your support coordinator will keep in touch with you either face-to-face, by phone and/or email. The level of support provided is based on your individual needs.

The Way Back Support Service can assist by:

• providing you with encouragement and support
• helping you follow your hospital discharge and safety plan
• assisting you to remain connected to your support networks
• supporting you to connect with your GP and other services that may help you in your journey to recovery.

How to access this service

The Way Back Support Service is delivered to people who have been admitted to hospital following a suicide attempt.

Depending on your location, participants can be referred through a number of channels including Hospitals, Community Mental Health Teams, GPs, family or friends.

Following your discharge from hospital, a Wellways support coordinator will make contact with you. Contact your local service listed at the top of this page for more information.

If immediate help is required, call 000

If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, please talk to someone. The following services are available to you and to family members, carers and friends:

Suicide Call back Service - 1300 659 467
Free, confidential, support 24/7 from trained specialist counsellors (national)

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
Free, confidential support 24/7 for young people under 25 (national)

Lifeline - 13 11 14
Free, confidential support 24/7 13 11 14 for people (national)

Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636
Free, confidential support from trained specialist counsellors 24/7

The Way Back Support Service is delivered by Wellways Australia in partnership with Beyond Blue and is funded by Murrumbidgee PHN, Western Victoria PHN, Gippsland PHN and Murray PHN. The Primary Health Networks Program is an Australian Government Initiative.