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Past Projects

HEALING OUR WAY

The Dr Edward Koch Foundation (Incorporating the Far North Queensland Suicide Prevention Taskforce) produced culturally-appropriate resources for the Indigenous people of Yarrabah for those at risk of suicide presenting to hospital and mental health services. Stakeholders from Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service, Yarrabah Police Service, Life Promotion Officers, Gindaja Substance Misuse Aboriginal Corporation, Education Queensland Indigenous Mental Health Program and Cairns Integrated Mental Health Service collaborated in the production of resources to reduce self-harm in the Yarrabah community. The FNQ Suicide Prevention Taskforce and the Dr Edward Koch Foundation will continue to apply for funding for those communities who have an identified need for culturally adapted resources in the area of self-harm reduction.

FAR NORTH AND FAR MORE HEALTHY

The booklet Far North and Far More Healthy was originally produced by the Tropical Public Health Unit, Queensland Health with the view to creating a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle for the residents of North Queensland. Topics included: an introduction to Tropical North Queensland's lifestyle, industry and rich culture; how the climate affects lifestyle in the tropics such as advice on sun sense, cyclone safety and keeping cool through the hot season; a guide to safety on the beaches, rivers, estuaries and the Great Barrier Reef; outback roads, cane toads and drink driving with additional information on public transport, licences and road safety; snakes, spiders and mosquitoes. Proceeds from this book were used for public health research. This booklet is now available from the Queensland Health website.

DELIBERATE SELF HARM

There was no reliable information on adolescents who deliberately engage in self-harming activities. James Cook University and the FNQ Taskforce for the Prevention of Suicide trialled a Register of Deliberate Self-Harm. Data was collected on young people at risk aged 12 to 24. The data collection involved completing a very brief and straightforward form, in the case of any probable incident of deliberate self-harm. The endeavour was to provide for the first time an accurate picture of the nature and extent of self-harm in Far North Queensland. The Dr Edward Koch Foundation provided the funding for this worthwhile project.

SUICIDE TRAUMA RESPONSE TEAM

In 2002, a grant of $375,000 from the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs Branch of the Department of Health and Ageing, in partnership with United Synergies Ltd, established the StandBy Response Program. This postvention program provided a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and acquaintances bereaved through suicide. By encouraging active participation in a wide range of existing networks and peak regional bodies as well as agencies such as police, ambulance, courts, community groups and health services, the program greatly reduced the difficulties experienced by bereaved people in accessing support.

THE FOOD CENT$ PROGRAM RESOURCE

The FoodCent$ program was a free nutrition education program focusing on teaching people with a limited budget a way of allocating food money to ensure a well-balanced diet. The program utilised a nutritionist-led train-the -trainer approach to facilitate project implementation by non-nutritionists.