On Wednesday 10 September, World Suicide Prevention Day, Lifeline WA and ICCWA launched the Building a Suicide-Safe South West Project in Bunbury. The Project aims to draw attention to the tragic loss of life due to suicide and build community commitment towards its prevention by empowering people in South West communities to prevent suicide and save lives.

Over 85 people attended the launch event to hear about this collaborative initiative which combines the Lifeline Livingworks community education sessions with the interactive “A Way Through” session being offered by the Understanding and Building Resilience (U&BR) Project. Many people appreciated the opportunity to network and the focus of discussion was on prevention, creating a positive focus for World Suicide Prevention Day.

Over 200 people in Western Australia take their own lives each year.  Most people thinking of suicide signal their pain and their intentions, offering others the opportunity to respond.  Warning signs and changes in behaviour can be very subtle, but if community members become more aware of these signs and how to talk about them, they can be better equipped to identify those at risk and assist them to seek help.

The Building a Suicide-Safe South West Project has already conducted six three-hour community seminars in Manjimup, Bridgetown, Collie, Margaret River, Busselton and Bunbury. The seminars were offered free to anyone in the community interested in preventing suicide and aimed to –
• Promote awareness of the risk factors of suicide
• Inform community attitudes that preserve, protect and promote life
• Provide skill building opportunities to equip communities to prevent and cope with depression and loss
• Equip people with knowledge, understanding and skill that will assist them to support people in emotional crisis and prevent suicide.

The U&BR Project team has already established strong connections with local communities in the South West which facilitated promotion and dissemination of information about the events.

Lifeline WA will be returning to the South West region in early 2009 to conduct more Livingworks suicide prevention education for community members. These will be the half-day SafeTALK and the two-day ASIST workshops. Watch for dates on the web site www.lifelinewa.org.au .

Building a Suicide-Safe South West Project is proudly funded by United Way WA and the U&BR Project is funded by the Australian Government via a National Suicide Prevention Strategy grant.

SuicideTALK is a short community-oriented program exploring issues and attitudes in suicide prevention. The program is designed to play a role in mobilising participants’ resolve to work toward the creation of suicide-safer communities. That resolve may eventually find expression in any of a wide range of activities. However, as a first step toward greater involvement, the program invites participants to explore attitudes about suicide. It recognises that, often, the first barrier to involvement may not be lack of knowledge or skills but anxiety and fear.

A Way Through

“A Way Through” is based on ‘The Map of Loss’ developed by Roslyn Snyder.
(www.wisdominyourlife.com.au)
‘The Map’ is a visual tool that has been used successfully to create connections and improve the health and well being of individuals, families and communities. The Map is a means of understanding the process of change and offers a way of dealing with the everyday stresses and emotional ups & downs in life, builds personal resilience, and empowers people to make positive life choices.
(Any queries contact Beth Jackson as below)

CONTACT U&BR TEAM
Marina Johns – Project Coordinator  marina.johns@health.wa.gov.au

Dr Beth Jackson – Project Officer  bjackson.iccwa@bigpond.com

Cis Narkle – Project Officer  Cis.Narkle@swams.com.au

CONTACT LIFELINE WA
Lydia Necheava – Education Services Manager  lydianecheava@lifelinewa.org.au