Western Australia SafeSide Project Snapshot: December 2025

Local services across Western Australia are now implementing SafeSide programs, building skills, sharing learning, and supporting suicide prevention efforts in their communities.

This update shares some of their early progress and next steps in the project.

Now live: Local voices, local lessons shared

Clinical and lived experience experts from Western Australia have contributed customised skills demonstrations and on-camera conversations, giving WA staff locally relevant content throughout SafeSide CARE.

🎥 Watch the welcome video here. Staff who undertake SafeSide CARE training in WA will see this video at the start of their workshop. Thank you to all who featured on camera.

📰Read a CranaPlus article on pages 58-59. CRANAPlus highlights the complexities of working in rural WA in terms of implementation considerations.

Building capacity for system-wide implementation

On 14 October, SafeSide’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Tony Pisani, partnered with East Metropolitan Health Service to host a leadership engagement event, building confidence and capability among the senior leadership and executive team as they progressed through SafeSide Prevention implementation.

SafeSide CARE

SafeSide CARE is a suicide prevention workforce education program with adaptations for mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and youth services. Learn more here. 

Project update:

• East Metropolitan Health Service teams are implementing the program now

• South Metropolitan Health Service has begun implementation planning

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service has commenced early implementation discussions

• 11 Community Managed Organisations now have access to SafeSide CARE

SafeSide Restore

SafeSide Restore supports organisational leaders in WA to foster a just, learning, and restorative culture following suicide or critical incidents. Learn more here. 

Project update:

• Four sessions have been facilitated, with the next scheduled for February

• 14 Organisations are now represented in the Restore Network

• Dr Kathryn Turner has joined as Senior Advisor to SafeSide and the Restore Network

SafeSide Connect

SafeSide Connect is a highly interactive, facilitated, group-based training program delivered over six hours to strengthen first-responder teams. Learn more here. 

Project update:

• Two SafeSide Connect sessions were held in August with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)—one in the metro region and another in a regional setting

• Feedback was overwhelmingly positive

Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality Training (CAMS)

A program that teaches CAMS, an evidence-based treatment which reduces suicidal ideation in as few as six to eight sessions and is backed by 35 years of research. Learn more here.

Project update: 

• 360 Health + Community and Samaritans WA have commenced CAMS training

Implementation Support

Partner organisations receive evidence-based resources, including tailored templates, recommended timelines, and practical guidance for embedding the SafeSide Framework.

In 2026, partners will have opportunities for peer learning, both online and in person. Whether your organisation is implementing one or multiple program streams, support is available to streamline the process.

Never the Same Podcast interviews in Perth

Three episodes featuring Perth-based leaders are now available. Professor Pat Dudgeon, Commissioner Maureen Lewis, and WA Chief Psychiatrist Nathan Gibson share their insights. Listen here. 

How you can get involved

• Visit our project webpage to learn more

• Contact us using the form to prioritise your team for implementation

• Quarterly updates like this keep you informed. In the meantime, follow our LinkedIn page for regular news and views from the SafeSide team.