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Our Healthy Clarence: A Community-Driven Wellbeing Initiative

Author

Listed:
  • Nicholas Powell

    (Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Orange 2800, Australia)

  • Hazel Dalton

    (Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Orange 2800, Australia)

  • David Perkins

    (Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Orange 2800, Australia)

  • Robyn Considine

    (School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, Australia)

  • Sue Hughes

    (New School of Arts Neighbourhood Centre, South Grafton 2460, Australia)

  • Samantha Osborne

    (Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Orange 2800, Australia)

  • Richard Buss

    (Mental Health & Drug and Alcohol Services, Northern NSW Local Health District, Lismore 2480, Australia)

Abstract

In 2015–2016, the Clarence Valley in Northern New South Wales, Australia, experienced an unexpectedly high number of deaths by suicide, and the resulting distress was exacerbated by unhelpful press coverage. The local response was to adopt a community-wide positive mental health and wellbeing initiative. This paper describes the process and achievements of the initiative called ‘Our Healthy Clarence’. Key stakeholders were interviewed at year two and relevant documents reviewed. Data were analysed using document and thematic analysis. Our Healthy Clarence was established following community consultation, including forums, interviews, surveys and workshops. It adopted a strengths-based approach to suicide prevention, encompassing positive health promotion, primary and secondary prevention activities, advocacy, and cross-sectoral collaboration. A stakeholder group formed to develop and enact a community mental health and wellbeing plan. Factors contributing to its successful implementation included a collective commitment to mental health and wellbeing, clarity of purpose, leadership support from key local partners, a paid independent coordinator, and inclusive and transparent governance. Stakeholders reported increased community agency, collaboration, optimism and willingness to discuss mental health, suicide and help-seeking. Our Healthy Clarence draws ideas from mental health care, community development and public health. This initiative could serve as a model for other communities to address suicide, self-harm and improve wellbeing on a whole-of-community scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicholas Powell & Hazel Dalton & David Perkins & Robyn Considine & Sue Hughes & Samantha Osborne & Richard Buss, 2019. "Our Healthy Clarence: A Community-Driven Wellbeing Initiative," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:19:p:3691-:d:272482
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kaplan, Sue A. & Garrett, Katherine E., 2005. "The use of logic models by community-based initiatives," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 28(2), pages 167-172, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Archana Raghavan & Veena A. Satyanarayana & Jane Fisher & Sundarnag Ganjekar & Monica Shrivastav & Sarita Anand & Vani Sethi & Prabha S. Chandra, 2022. "Gender Transformative Interventions for Perinatal Mental Health in Low and Middle Income Countries—A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Elissa Dabkowski & Joanne E. Porter & Michael S. Barbagallo & Valerie Prokopiv & Megan R. Jackson, 2022. "A Scoping Review of Community-Based Adult Suicide Prevention Initiatives in Rural and Regional Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-15, June.

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