Suicide prevention
The suicide of person is a devastating event that has a lasting impact on other people connected with the person concerned. About 40 suicides occur every week in Australia. Nearly all are preventable if the necessary intervention occurs. We would like to let readers know of some of the government and community initiatives that are working to reduce the rate of suicide and to support people who are bereaved by the suicide of a person close to them.
Government & peak bodies
The Australian Government has developed the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS), emphasising promotion, prevention and early intervention for mental health. Living is for Everyone is a website providing resources and research findings as well a comprehensive list of crisis services for people who need urgent help – eg Lifeline, Suicide Call Back Service, Kids Helpline, Mensline Australia and Veterans Line.
Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) is the non-profit peak body that brings together practitioners, researchers, and the community affected by suicide and self harm. It provides policy advice to governments, community awareness and public education, and research.
Support services
- Lifeline telephone counsellors provide 24 hour support on 13 11 14.
- Kids Helpline provides 24 hour support for young people aged 5-25 years. Counselling is offered by phone, email and over the web. The website has a comprehensive page of information called Let’s talk about suicide
- Reach Out! provides resources on suicide including videos, fact sheets and stories.
- Suicide Call Back Service - provides crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, people caring for someone who is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide, 24 hours per day 7 days a week across Australia. Counselling from professional counsellors with specialist skills in working with suicide-related issues is also available.
South Australia
In South Australia the following groups and programs are dedicated to helping people affected by suicide:
- Anglicare SA Grief & Loss Centre offers assistance and support to people who are grieving through individual or family counselling; information and resources; referrals and support groups
- Anglicare SA Living Beyond Suicide program provides help after a suicide has occurred on 1300 76 11 93 from 10am–10pm any day. Trained family support volunteers are on call.
- Bereaved Through Suicide Support Group - telephone support on 08 8332 8240 and support group meetings, support@bts.org.au
- Centacare ASCEND Suicide Intervention Program - provides services to young people who are exhibiting depressive, suicidal or self-harming behaviours.
- MOSH Australia (Minimisation of Suicide Harm) was founded by two women who lost their sons through suicide. Offers counselling, support groups, art therapy
Awareness events
The following annual awareness events focus attention on suicide prevention:
- World Suicide Prevention Day is held every year on 10 September. It encourages people to save lives by taking time to learn about suicide, recognise the signs and help to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.
- Out of the Shadows walks are held on World Suicide Prevention Day – watch out for this year’s program and check out the links to suicide prevention training programs.
- R U OK?Day, 13 September 2012, is a national day of action on suicide prevention that asks people to say to someone they care about: ‘Are you OK?'
- National White Wreath Day –held by White Wreath Association on 29 May each year to raise awareness and provide support to families and friends of suicide victims.
