An Evaluation of the Implementation of the Australian ATAPS Suicide Prevention Services Initiative

The Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) Suicide Prevention Services initiative is an Australian Government-funded primary mental healthcare initiative providing free intensive psychological intervention for consumers at moderate risk of self-harm or suicide. Findings from a multi-method evaluation aimed at identifying whether the initiative is being implemented as stipulated within the operational guidelines, barriers and facilitators to implementation, and preliminary outcomes suggest that the Suicide Prevention Services are largely being implemented as stipulated in the Guidelines, but with some exceptions. In particular, service delivery barriers unique to rural and remote areas place limitations on implementation. Uptake of the ATAPS Suicide Prevention Services is high (10,428 consumers were referred to the Suicide Prevention Services between October 2008 and April 2013, and 86% of those attended at least one session), as is acceptance from organizations involved in its implementation.