It’s OK to talk about suicide
Crowds gather in Melbourne for the Out of the Shadows community walk for World Suicide Prevention Day. (Photo: Courtesy of Carolyn Koch)
10 September marked World Suicide Prevention Day – an issue that claims the lives of over 2,000 Australians each year, and affects the lives of thousands more.
For every person who dies, there are another eight people directly affected. This means suicide impacts the lives of over 16,000 Australians each year.
For this reason, programs such as The Salvation Army’s Hope for Life are a vital in our communities. Hope for Life is a service for people at risk of suicide, or who have been bereaved by suicide, to help them find freedom from their pain.
Events have been held around the country this week as part of World Suicide Prevention Day, to not only raise awareness, but to also remember those who have lost their lives. Carolyn Koch, Hope for Life Project Assistant, shares what The Salvation Army has been taking part in.
"We have been involved with a number of community events and walks around the country,” says Ms Koch.
“Our lifekeeper memory quilts have also been displayed this week in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney with our ‘Out of the Shadows’ colleagues.”
Lifeline holds community walks all around the country, Out of the Shadows, with the theme for this year’s walk, ‘It’s ok to talk about suicide’.
The lifekeeper memory quilts are a Hope for Life initiative created as a memorial for those who have died by suicide. It enables those bereaved by suicide to share their personal stories, tributes and create a visual reminder to every one of the many who are lost by suicide.
The 8 and 15 September have been designated as Sundays for corps to remember those who have been affected by suicide.
To find out about free suicide prevention and bereavement support training, becoming a Hope for Life Champion, or being involved in a lifekeeper memory quilt please call 02 9356 2120 or visit suicideprevention.salvos.org.au
Do you need help? You can contact Lifeline (or call 13 11 14) or beyondblue (or call 1300 22 4636).
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