Global recognition for Envoy Alan Staines
Envoy Alan Staines, with his International Association for Suicide Prevention’s 2013 Norman Farberow Award. (Photo by Shairon Paterson)
Salvation Army Envoy Alan Staines has been presented with the International Association for Suicide Prevention’s 2013 Norman Farberow Award at its recent conference in Oslo, Norway.
The award, named in recognition of Professor Norman Farberow, a founding member and driving force behind the association, is for outstanding contributions in the field of bereavement and survivors of suicide loss.
Envoy Staines, Director of Hope for Life, The Salvation Army’s suicide prevention and bereavement support service, has been actively involved in the field for more than three decades.
He established Postvention Australia, a national association for those bereaved by suicide, earlier this year.
“I give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity that has been mine through my Salvation Army service to provide holistic services for those bereaved by suicide throughout Australia,” says Envoy Staines.
“My ongoing vision is to establish and build a strong network that provides holistic, physical, emotional and spiritual support, comfort and understanding to enhance the health and wellbeing of every person bereaved by suicide.”
Envoy Staines developed the Lifekeeper memory quilt initiative with Dr Kath Peters from the University of NSW in 2012. At this year’s Oslo conference, he presented an evaluation of participants’ perspectives on the memory quilt program.
“The evaluation highlighted the tangible and therapeutic value of the quilt to families left behind after the loss of a loved one to suicide,” says Envoy Staines.
In 2007, Envoy Staines was responsible for convening the inaugural Australian Postvention Conference, and subsequent conferences in 2009 and 2012. He played a key role in establishing the Salvo Care Line (1983) and the Salvation Army OASIS Youth Care Centre in Surry Hills (1992).
In 1991, he founded and helped establish Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA), and for 18 years he served on the board as national secretary.
This year’s Norman Farberow award is one of many that recognise Envoy Staines’ expectional work. In 2003, he was awarded a medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to young people through SPA and The Salvation Army. In 2004, he was honoured with life membership of SPA. In 2007, he received the Order of the Founder (OF), the highest Salvation Army honour for distinguished service.
For more information on The Salvation Army’s work in suicide prevention and bereavement support, go to suicideprevention.salvos.org.au/
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