Report on the evaluation of the We-Yarn project

This report summarises the evaluation of six We-Yarn workshops conducted between 1 December 2016 and 30 June 2017 in rural New South Wales. Workshops were designed and facilitated by the Good SPACE project team, part of the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health at the University of Australia. A mixed methods evaluation of the workshops drew on baseline surveys (n=91), endline surveys (n=81), in-depth interviews (n=9) and observations of three workshops to examine the relevance and impact of the workshops. The evaluation found that the content of the workshop was considered culturally appropriate and valuable to participants in understanding how to identify and respond to someone who may be at risk of suicide. Participants engaged well with the facilitators, particularly drawing on their lived experiences and stories. Health and allied health professionals tended to bring existing knowledge and skills in suicide prevention and required more clinical strategies and skills. The workshop was valued by participants for starting an important conversation in their communities and providing them with an improved understanding of links between cultural strengths, social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. There were missed opportunities for follow-up actions in communities after the workshop, and it did not, nor did it intend to, overcome challenges associated with lack of access to appropriate and effective support services.