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An Evaluation of the Implementation of the Australian ATAPS Suicide Prevention Services Initiative

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Abstract

The Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) Suicide Prevention Services initiative is an Australian Government-funded primary mental healthcare initiative providing free intensive psychological intervention for consumers at moderate risk of self-harm or suicide. Findings from a multi-method evaluation aimed at identifying whether the initiative is being implemented as stipulated within the operational guidelines, barriers and facilitators to implementation, and preliminary outcomes suggest that the Suicide Prevention Services are largely being implemented as stipulated in the Guidelines, but with some exceptions. In particular, service delivery barriers unique to rural and remote areas place limitations on implementation. Uptake of the ATAPS Suicide Prevention Services is high (10,428 consumers were referred to the Suicide Prevention Services between October 2008 and April 2013, and 86% of those attended at least one session), as is acceptance from organizations involved in its implementation.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported through funding from the Australian Government Department of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 4, 207 Bouverie Street, Carlton, VIC, 3054, Australia

    Angela Nicholas DHealthPsych(Research), BPsych(Hons), Bridget Bassilios DPsych, GradDip(Psych), BSc, Kylie King DPsych(Health), BSc, Maria Ftanou DPsych(Clinical), BAppSc(Hons), Anna Machlin DPsych, PGdip, BA, Lennart Reifels PhD, Dipl.-Psych & Jane Pirkis PhD, MAE,MPsych, BA (Hons)

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  1. Angela Nicholas DHealthPsych(Research), BPsych(Hons)
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  2. Bridget Bassilios DPsych, GradDip(Psych), BSc
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  3. Kylie King DPsych(Health), BSc
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  4. Maria Ftanou DPsych(Clinical), BAppSc(Hons)
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  5. Anna Machlin DPsych, PGdip, BA
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  6. Lennart Reifels PhD, Dipl.-Psych
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  7. Jane Pirkis PhD, MAE,MPsych, BA (Hons)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Angela Nicholas DHealthPsych(Research), BPsych(Hons).

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Conflict of Interest

This evaluation is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, which also funds the ATAPS Suicide Prevention Services initiative.

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Nicholas, A., Bassilios, B., King, K. et al. An Evaluation of the Implementation of the Australian ATAPS Suicide Prevention Services Initiative. J Behav Health Serv Res 46, 99–115 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-018-9609-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-018-9609-8

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