@article{ref1,
title="Local evaluation of the Tasmanian component of the National Suicide Prevention Trial-Preliminary learnings",
journal="Australian journal of rural health",
year="2020",
author="Smith, Laura and Purton, Terry and Auckland, Stuart and Lees, David and Mond, Jonathan",
volume="28",
number="2",
pages="218-223",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Tasmania is one of the 12 Australian sites chosen to participate in the National Suicide Prevention Trial. The Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, was contracted to conduct a local-level, process evaluation of this initiative using a Participatory Action Research approach, with the objective of this article to summarise progress and key learnings from the local evaluation to date. <br><br>DESIGN: Empowerment and Utilisation-Focus Evaluation theoretical approaches informed the conduct of process evaluation activities, within an overarching participatory action research approach. SETTING: Three participating regions in Tasmania were included as follows: Launceston, the North-West and Break O'Day. PARTICIPANTS: Working group members, service providers and other relevant stakeholders. INTERVENTIONS: Mixed-methods surveys, field observations and content analysis were conducted. <br><br>RESULTS: Survey results indicated that most working group members understood the concept of a &quot;systems-based&quot; approach to suicide prevention. Most participants believed that working group structures/functions engaged community members with lived experience, while around half believed that these structures/functions facilitated relationships with local services and that working group action plans adequately addressed issues of capacity building and sustainability. Preliminary field data suggested that awareness raising, engagement and face-to-face capacity-building activities focused on the wider community were preferred to activities targeting specific populations. <br><br>CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings suggest ambivalence among key stakeholders concerning the application of a systems-based approach to suicide prevention in regional areas of Tasmania. Consistent with a participatory action research approach, the findings will inform the evolution of trial site activity for the remainder of the trial and, in due course, the implementation of future such initiatives.<br><br>© 2020 National Rural Health Alliance Inc.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1038-5282",
doi="10.1111/ajr.12620",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12620"
}