Evidence Brief Focus Area 5: Supporting long-term wellbeing

People who have attempted suicide are at greater risk of re-attempting and dying by suicide, yet many people are without follow-up mental health care. The risk is particularly elevated in the first three to six months following an attempt. Although experiences vary, for some people suicidal ideation may be enduring and persist for many years. Effective suicide prevention requires services and systems which do not just focus on episodic interventions to alleviate immediate distress, but which ensure continuity of care and aim to restore long-term mental health and wellbeing. Systems and service providers must be equipped to provide effective ongoing support to anyone who has experienced suicidal crisis and their families and carers, including connecting people with ongoing coordinated psychosocial support.