posted on 2021-07-13, 04:25authored byL Reifels, Amy MorganAmy Morgan, LS Too, M Schlichthorst, M Williamson, H Jordan
Community coalitions have been recognised as an important vehicle to advance health promotion and address relevant local health issues in communities, yet little is known about their effectiveness in the field of suicide prevention. The Wesley Lifeforce Suicide Prevention Networks program consists of a national cohort of local community-led suicide prevention networks. This study drew on a nationally representative survey and the perspectives of coordinators of these networks to identify the key factors underpinning positive perceived network member and community outcomes. Survey data were analysed through descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses. Networks typically reported better outcomes for network members and communities if they had been in existence for longer, had a focus on the general community, and had conducted more network meetings and internal processes, as well as specific community-focused activities. Study findings strengthen the evidence base for effective network operations and lend further support to the merit of community coalitions in the field of suicide prevention, with implications for similar initiatives, policymakers, and wider sector stakeholders seeking to address suicide prevention issues at a local community level.
Funding
This research was funded by Wesley Mission.
History
Publication Date
2021-06-01
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume
18
Issue
11
Article Number
ARTN 6084
Pagination
14p.
Publisher
MDPI
ISSN
1661-7827
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