Operation Life is DVA’s overarching framework for suicide awareness and prevention among the ex-service community - including veterans and ex-service personnel, and their families, friends, colleagues, carers, and civilian members of ex-service organisations.

A core component of the framework is the delivery of face-to-face workshops that aim to increase the ex-service community’s awareness of, and ability to respond to, suicidal behaviour in individuals.

In 2017, DVA contracted UnitingCare Community (UCC) in partnership with Overwatch Australia and Roses in the Ocean, to develop a new training program that meets the changing needs of the ex-service community.  The aims of the program were to:

• Increase the number of people in the ex-service community who have the skills and confidence to recognise risk and protective factors associated with suicide risk; and
• Link at-risk members of their community with support services.

AHA was appointed to evaluate the pilot program using a 6-phase mixed-method approach designed to address the key areas of interest:

1. Proof-of-concept assessment prior to commencement of the pilot, supported by a literature scan and stakeholder consultations
2. Detailed analysis of key documentation and data provided by UCC
3. Training component evaluation using the New World Kirkpatrick Model
4. Pre- and post-training surveys, and telephone follow-up surveys three months after completing training
5. Targeted consultations with a broad range of key stakeholders, using a mix of face-to-face visits and teleconferences to optimise engagement
6. Triangulation and synthesis of information from the various sources to generate findings that will be used to:
   • Inform continuous quality improvement of the pilot throughout the evaluation
   • Address the evaluation questions
   • Determine if the pilot is meeting its objectives
   • Provide recommendations for future directions of the program.

Following the phase 1 proof of concept assessment, DVA decided not to continue with the pilot. DVA instead chose to modify an existing suicide awareness program (safeTALK) to tailor it for the veteran population. AHA was engaged to evaluate the resulting pilot program: safeTALK for the veteran community.