News Release
EMBARGOED UNTIL JULY 1, 2024, 01:00 AM AEST
Care Collaborate Connect Celebrates 8th Anniversary with Innovative Suicide Prevention Initiative
Revolutionary Approach Aims to Transform Mental Health Support
July 1, 2024 – Sunshine Coast – Nine people die by suicide every day in Australia. A pioneering program dedicated to tilting to focus to what people need and saving lives is marking its 8th anniversary.
Developed in 2016 by Clinical Psychologist and former Professor of Suicide Prevention, Dr Helen Stallman, Care Collaborate Connect has led the way in consumer-centred mental health care. Since then, it has pioneered consumer-centred mental health care, bridging the gap between what consumers need and want when they share their feelings and the often unhelpful responses from social and professional support.
Despite the availability of our world-first needs-based approach for eight years, many consumers continue to suffer due to inadequate responses from health professionals, emergency departments, and mental health units. Recent media stories highlight the critical need for our approach:
- ABC News: Mental Health Patients Mistreated in Emergency Departments
- ABC News: Mental Health Unit Suicide Deaths at Prince Charles Hospital
Dr. Helen Stallman, CEO of Care Collaborate Connect, states, “We have been at the forefront of suicide prevention research and practice. The most common sentiment after a suicide is, ‘I didn’t know; I would have been there if they’d asked.’ The truth is, that trust, connections and support need to be established long before a crisis occurs. By offering online training in Psychological First Aid for the community and Suicide Prevention for health professionals, we aim to make a significant impact on global suicide prevention. Every Australian needs support sometimes, and together, we can create a continuum of care so no one feels abandoned or overwhelmed.”
Dr Nadine Pelling, Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of South Australia says, “Care Collaborate Connect represents a significant advancement in our ability to support those in distress and train the next generation of health professionals to meet the needs of consumers when they ask for help. Its proactive approach can save countless lives.”
Melissa Cohen, Clinical Development Manager at White Cloud Foundation says, “The Care Collaborate Connect training program has been fundamental in helping White Cloud Foundation develop as an organisation grounded in the philosophy of consumer-centred care for the provision of mental well-being treatment and support. Care Collaborate Connect trains our clinicians to be responsive to consumer needs in a non-judgmental and caring manner while maintaining the highest professional standards. Our consumers have provided extremely positive feedback on this approach, ensuring they get the best results from their treatment. White Cloud is committed to excellence in mental health care, and to achieve this, we are committed to providing our clinical team with high-quality Care Collaborate Connect training on an ongoing basis.”
Steve Lee, Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing at Western Sydney University, says, “We’ve introduced the Care Collaborate Connect Psychological First Aid training to all staff and students over the past year, aiming to cultivate a university-wide culture of coping and care. Participants have shared that this new approach to understanding emotions and wellbeing has helped them cope better, enhanced their overall wellbeing, and boosted their confidence in supporting others safely.”
Join us in celebrating this milestone and our mission to save lives. Visit our website to learn more about our innovative approach and participate in our training programs better to support your family, friends, and community. Together, we can eliminate suicide.
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Available for Interview: Dr Helen Stallman
Email: contact@carecollaborateconnect.org