New Horizons is proud to announce that our pioneering suicide aftercare program, i.am, has been awarded the Mental Health Matters Youth Award, recognising excellence and innovation in prevention and early intervention initiatives that support young people across New South Wales.
This award celebrates programs making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people experiencing mental health challenges and acknowledges the critical role i.am plays in supporting children and young people experiencing suicidal ideation, self-harm, or recovering from a suicide attempt.
As NSW’s first child and youth-specific suicide aftercare program, i.am was developed through genuine co-production with children and young people with lived experience. Designed to fill a significant gap in support services, i.am provides rapid, compassionate and developmentally appropriate care to young people aged up to 25 years, including those under 16 who have traditionally been unable to access dedicated suicide aftercare support.
At the heart of the program are Youth Suicide Prevention Peer Workers who use their lived experience to build trust, provide hope, and walk alongside young people through their recovery journey. Support is delivered where young people feel most comfortable, whether at home, school or within their community.
Since its launch, i.am has supported more than 1,000 children and young people and now delivers more than 11,000 hours of support annually across four locations in NSW.
The award recognises not only the innovation of the model but also the outcomes it achieves. Independent evaluation has shown that more than 90% of participants reported increased confidence, stronger connections with others, and the development of practical life skills. Children and young people also reported significant reductions in suicidal ideation and increased ability to manage their wellbeing and seek support when needed.
Importantly, i.am continues to demonstrate strong engagement with priority populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, who represent a significantly higher proportion of participants compared to many comparable services.
This recognition belongs to the young people, families, carers and communities who have helped shape the program, as well as the dedicated Peer Workers, Clinical Leads and staff whose commitment continues to change lives every day. We’d also like to acknowledge the NSW Ministry of Health as a funding body in the delivery of i.am.
As demand for youth suicide prevention and aftercare services continues to grow, New Horizons remains committed to ensuring every child and young person experiencing suicidality can access timely, compassionate and life-changing support.
Together, we can continue to build hope, restore safety and create brighter futures for young people across NSW.