Tasmanian LiFE Awards – 2025 Nominee

Lived experiences and the lack of supports and resources within the aged care industry prompted the team at Care Forward North to open up the conversation around suicide prevention in their workplace and their community.

The team created a Community Action Plan to reduce the stigma around suicide prevention and connect with the community through their colleagues, consumers and families. The plan promotes health and wellbeing in the workplace and led to the creation of their safe space sanctuary, which promotes self-care activities and relaxation, and gives the opportunity for colleagues to debrief with one another. Four care partners have completed Mental Health First Aid training to support the action plan’s initiatives.

Creating the Community Action Plan was only the first step for the Care Forward North team. They have regular meetings to discuss suicide prevention activities and training opportunities, which are then shared with the broader team through monthly newsletters. They are already planning future activities, including community events and staff mental health exercises. Later in 2025, Care Forward North will be an active organisation in Monash University’s suicide prevention and research program.

Care Forward North recognised a problem and chose to address it. Through their actions, they continue to show they are dedicated to improving communication, education and knowledge of suicide prevention and general mental health and wellbeing supports in the aged care sector.