Four leading organisations unite to deliver coordinated postvention services

This article discusses suicide and postvention support. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion, and to prioritise their wellbeing. If this content raises any concerns for you, please reach out to the support services listed at the end of the article.

At The Sector, we are committed to reporting on issues that deeply affect children, families, educators and communities. We recognise the sensitivity of topics relating to suicide and wellbeing, and we approach them with care, respect and a focus on evidence-informed practice. Our goal is to share accurate, responsible information that supports understanding, encourages collaboration, and highlights the importance of safeguarding the wellbeing of all community members.

A new national partnership has been established to strengthen the way communities across Australia are supported following a death by suicide.

Each year, on 10 September, World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) focuses global attention on suicide prevention, uniting communities, organisations and governments with the shared belief that suicides are preventable. In alignment with this year’s WSPD, a new national partnership has been launched to strengthen the way communities across Australia are supported following a death by suicide.

The National Postvention Leadership Group (NPLG) brings together four leading organisations: headspace National (Schools & Communities), MacKillop Seasons, StandBy Support After Suicide, and Thirrili, to ensure that individuals, families, and communities have timely and coordinated access to postvention support.

A new national partnership has been established to strengthen the way communities across Australia are supported following a death by suicide.

The National Postvention Leadership Group (NPLG) brings together four leading organisations: headspace National (Schools & Communities), MacKillop Seasons, StandBy Support After Suicide, and Thirrili, to ensure that individuals, families, and communities have timely and coordinated access to postvention support.

Formed in 2024, the NPLG is committed to improving service navigation and strengthening collaboration across the postvention sector. The group’s work focuses on enhancing cultural responsiveness, ensuring support is accessible and locally relevant, and contributing to national reform and evidence-based practice in suicide postvention.

The NPLG’s shared priorities include:

• enhancing service delivery for a more accessible and responsive postvention experience
• building cultural capability, particularly in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• developing shared tools and resources to strengthen the sector
• using evidence and data to inform collaboration and respond to emerging needs
• advocating for sustainable, nationally delivered postvention services.

To share its work, and ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day,  the NPLG has launched a new guide, Understanding National Postvention Services in Australia, which outlines the pathways of support offered by each member organisation. This guide will help staff coordinate responses and ensure individuals and communities are connected with the right support at the right time.

Kristen Douglas from headspace National (Schools & Communities) says, “We see every day the impact a death by suicide has on young people and school communities. By collaborating through the NPLG, we can better ensure schools and young people have access to timely, coordinated support at the appropriate time that helps them.”

Commenting on the need for collaboration, Amanda Glenwright from StandBy Support After Suicide says “StandBy has long recognised the power of connection and collaboration in postvention. Working as part of the NPLG means we can strengthen local responses and ensure communities receive consistent, compassionate support, no matter where they live.”

Tanja Hirvonen from Thirrili adds, “For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally safe support is vital when responding to suicide in our communities. The NPLG provides an opportunity to embed First Nations knowledge and leadership across national postvention services, ensuring responses are respectful, healing, and culturally grounded.”

Director of MacKillop Seasons, Fiona McCallum, believes that through sharing knowledge and resources across organisations, by collaborating, the NPLG will help ensure that schools and communities are supported along the continuum following a suicide loss. “Suicide can have a lasting impact for individuals, families and entire communities,” Ms McCallum said. “By working together, we can ensure that people feel safe, connected and cared for with the right support, at the right time, in a way that respects and responds to their unique needs.”

Through their shared experience, the NPLG organisations have a united belief that postvention is prevention. By working in partnership, they intend to increase protective factors, thereby reducing risk, for those bereaved by suicide, and strengthen communities with support that is compassionate, coordinated, and culturally appropriate.

The NPLG will review its membership annually to consider the inclusion of additional postvention providers and will continue to align its work with national suicide prevention strategies through its connection with Suicide Prevention Australia, the peak body for the sector.

                                
For further information and to access the Service Navigation Guide contact [email protected].au

Support services

If this article has raised any concerns for you, or if you or someone you know is affected by suicide, please seek support through the following services:

• Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services)
• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 (24/7 mental health support)
• StandBy Support After Suicide – 1300 727 247 (support for anyone impacted by suicide loss)
• Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 (24/7 counselling service for children and young people aged 5–25)
• 13YARN – 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

If you are in immediate danger, please call 000.