GP podcast series: Experts share candid insights about suicide prevention

A series of GPs, psychiatrists and other experts from around Australia have come together and shared their insights about challenging, real-world issues and best supporting patients with suicide prevention. Supported by Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN), the series has been designed to help inform your practice as a GP. The episodes are all available now as part of the Healthed Podcast – Suicide Prevention Series. GPs can visit the Healthed website and log in for exclusive access, with CPD points available.

What is the Healthed Podcast – Suicide Prevention Series?

Developed by Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) in collaboration with a GP Advisor and produced by Healthed, this podcast series brings together GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, lived experience contributors and other experts to unpack the real-world conversations and decisions involved in suicide prevention care.

Designed specifically with GPs in mind, the series provides practical insights to help strengthen clinical confidence, support patient safety and inform your everyday practice. GPs can visit the Healthed website and log in for exclusive access, with CPD points available.

What topics are explored in the Series?

Episodes explore common and complex suicide prevention scenarios seen in general practice, including suicidal ideation, safety planning, medico-legal concerns, cultural safety, loneliness, depression, social connection and GP wellbeing.

The series also focuses on supporting priority populations, including men, young people, LGBTQIA+ communities, neurodivergent patients, older adults, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and patients during the perinatal period and perimenopause.

Here’s a sneak peek of some of the episode topics and themes. To view more, visit HealthEd, log in, and view the series page, or search for ‘Gold Coast Primary Health Network’ to see all episodes we’ve supported.

Featured podcast episode #1: Suicide safety planning: Real-world strategies

This episode features GP and Medical Director Dr Lachlan Fieldhouse and Tim Fisk, a Lived Experience Advisor and ASIST and safeTALK trainer. Together with host and GP Dr Charlotte Hespe, they explore the safety planning and ongoing management of suicidal risk in Australian primary care:

• Explore practical steps for safety planning
• Learn ways to balance time constraints with genuine empathy
• Gain ideas for collaborative, patient-owned safety plans
• Practical insights on counselling patients about realistic benefits and limitations
• Clarify documentation and medico-legal essentials in suicidal presentations

Experts: Dr Lachlan Fieldhouse, GP and Medical Director and Tim Fisk, Founder and Lived Experience Advisor

Host: Dr Charlotte Hespe, GP & Medical Educator

Total time: 27 mins

Featured podcast episode #2: Loneliness, depression and suicide risk in older adults

In this episode, Psychiatrist Dr Samuel Ryder speaks with host and GP Dr Marita Long about how to recognise and manage loneliness, depression, anxiety, and suicide risk in older adults:

• Recognise atypical and somatic presentations of depression and anxiety
• Apply practical screening and assessment and how to interpret them
• Gain guidance on treatment in primary care
• How to manage risk, involve family and distinguish normal ageing from treatable conditions

Expert: Dr Samuel Ryder, Psychiatrist

Host: Dr Marita Long, GP & Medical Educator

Total time: 34 mins

Featured podcast episode #3: Suicide risk in the perinatal period and perimenopause

In this episode, Psychiatrists Dr Lyndall White and Dr Susan Roberts join host GP Dr Rebecca Overton to speak about suicide risk during the perinatal period and perimenopause:

• Explore why suicide remains the leading cause of maternal death in Australia
• Understand how hormonal transitions affect mood, sleep, cognition and suicide risk
• Learn GP-friendly strategies for asking about suicidal ideation without increasing shame or fear
• Recognise key red flags in the perinatal and perimenopausal years
• Gain tips on safety planning, limiting access to means and when to escalate to specialist services

Experts: Dr Lyndall White, Consultant Psychiatrist and Dr Susan Roberts, Perinatal Psychiatrist

Host: Dr Rebecca Overton, GP & Medical Educator

Total time: 39 mins

GCPHN suicide prevention content

View suicide prevention and community support – including:

• The Way Back Support Service (TWBSS) Out of Hospital (OOH) pathway
• Gold Coast Community Support
• The Way Back Support Service (TWBSS) (Post-hospital Discharge Community Support)

You can also:

• Access our Mental Health Referral templates.
• View wider mental health resources for health professionals from GCPHN.

The Healthed educational podcast series discusses sensitive topics including suicide and mental health distress. If you or someone you know needs help, support is available by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you are in immediate danger, please call 000. The views, information or opinions expressed by the experts in this podcast series are entirely their own and do not necessarily represent those of Gold Coast Primary Health Network.