This project's final report and evaluation was completed on 30 November 2017

Project summary

Development of an evaluation toolkit for Suicide Prevention Networks using a Participatory Action Research approach, and with significant design consultation with the Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network.

Project approach

The project was undertaken using Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology in collaboration with the Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network Committee. It followed three major phases:

Planning phase

This Phase involved reviewing the activities of the Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network as an example of such networks throughout South Australia. This began with preliminary meetings with the Committee to build rapport, discuss the project, and establish tasks and timelines. It also involved obtaining ethics approval from the University of South Australia Human Research Ethics Committee.

Action and observation phase

This Phase involved the following major data collection steps:

1. Reviewing all documentation made available from the Committee related to its activities (e.g. Action Plan, meeting minutes, promotional material, annual reports etc)
2. One-to-one in-depth, semi-structured telephone interviews with 5 members of the Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network Committee
3. An in-depth, semi-structured in-person focus group with 9 members of the Whyalla
   Suicide Prevention Network Committee
4. A brief, anonymous, online survey with members of the Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network’s mailing list (response rate = approx. 18%; n = 18 of approx. 100 people on the email distribution list).

This phase also involved utilising themes from the interview, focus group and survey data, along with other documentation from the Network, to best understand what the Network has done and why since its inception, as well as measures of effectiveness. This information was then used to draft a preliminary version of the Evaluation Toolkit.

Reflection phase

This Phase involved updating the preliminary Evaluation Toolkit through a repeated process of drafting, obtaining advice and approval from the Committee regarding each revision, and re-drafting. This phase resulted in the production of the final Evaluation Toolkit, including detailed instructions and recommendations for use by other Suicide Prevention Networks.

Project achievements

The project resulted in the following key achievements:

• Multi-phase data collection to obtain an in-depth understanding of the activities of the Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network: interviews with 5 participants; a focus group with 9 participants; and an online survey with 18 participants
• Development of an Evaluation Toolkit (PDF file provided above) to be used by Suicide Prevention Networks across South Australia.

Project outputs and outcomes

The primary output is the production of an Evaluation Toolkit (provided above) for use by Suicide Prevention Networks South Australia-wide, titled ‘Evaluation Toolkit for South Australian Suicide Prevention Networks’.

View evaluation toolkit

Project distribution

We anticipate that there will be a launch of the Evaluation Toolkit in 2018, for discussion with LGA and SA Health. A copy of the Evaluation Toolkit is provided above. It will also be placed on the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research Group’s website, and will be freely accessible to all South Australian Suicide Prevention Networks.

Performance measures

The key performance measure of this project was the co-development of an Evaluation Toolkit (PDF file, provided above) between the University of South Australia and the Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network.

Project evaluation

The project was deemed effective as it resulted in the proposed outcome – the co-development of an Evaluation Toolkit between the University of South Australia and the Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network.