Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) invites Responses for the provision of Suicide Prevention Lived Experience (Services) in accordance with the requirements of this Request for Tender (RFT).

As outlined, the role of a peer workforce in suicide prevention activities identifies training, the development of models of practice and of standards of practice as core elements expected to be delivered via PHNs. Lived experience system integration is authorised by the findings and recommendations of a series of landmark inquiries into the mental health and suicide prevention systems. This includes the recently released National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-35 and the Victorian Suicide Prevention Strategy 2024-2034.

Historically suicide prevention activities have been predominantly informed through a mental illness lens. It is now understood that situational distress/psycho-social factors contribute significantly to suicide. Strengthening the suicide prevention peer workforce better meets the needs of those in suicidal distress.

EMPHN is seeking to engage a provider or partnership of providers, to deliver a suite of services that build the capability of the local Suicide Prevention Lived Experience Voice, Workforce and Workplace settings.

This initiative will build lived experience capability in the EMPHN catchment in three ways:

Lived Experience Voice

• Providing training and support for those with lived experience of suicide to enhance their capacity to engage in advocacy, service design, delivery and evaluation and other advisory roles.

Workforce Development

• Training for those with lived experience of suicide to enter the dedicated suicide prevention peer workforce.
• Upskill the existing cross-sector allied health and peer workforce (AOD, MH, FV and other relevant sectors) in supporting individuals in suicidal distress from a lived experience of suicide perspective.

Workplace Support

• Provide training and education to organisations on how to most effectively support a dedicated suicide prevention lived experience workforce
• Provide resources to organisations that support implementation of policies, frameworks and self-assessment in supporting a lived experience workforce

This RFT will require Respondents to lodge their responses via the eProcure online form. Only Respondents who meet the due diligence and mandatory requirements set by EMPHN should submit the remaining component of the Proposal Response.

Please ensure you read all parts of the RFT to understand the process for lodging a response.