THE Suicide Prevention Awareness Network Central Victoria group has urged schools and businesses to support the Bendigo Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk on March 23.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The walk will leave the Dai Gum San precinct in Bridge Street at 11am on Sunday week.
Musical entertainment will be provided at the site from 9.30am with an official ceremony following the walk and a free sausage sizzle at 12.15pm.
The annual Black Dog Ride featuring almost 300 motorbike riders will join forces with the SPAN walk for the first time.
Riders will leave the McRae Street carpark at 10.50am for a ride to Puckapunyal to raise awareness of mental health.
SPAN spokesperson Alannah McGregor called on schools and businesses to get involved with the SPAN walk.
''The walk is an opportunity for schools and businesses to support those bereaved as well as participating in prevention of suicide in our community,'' she said.
''If you look at the statistics, approximately 20 people are affected by any one suicide.
''The chances are every school and business in Bendigo either knows somebody or works with somebody who has been touched by suicide.’’
Ms McGregor said Catholic College Bendigo students were supporting the walk.
If you look at the statistics, approximately 20 people are affected by any one suicide.
''The students will be helping by cooking the barbecue and with marshalling at strategic points around the walk route,'' she said.
''This is a wonderful show of support from the college and an opportunity for those students to participate in a positive way.''
College well-being team leader Amanda Leonard said suicide was a significant issue that involved the entire community.
''We want people to feel they can seek help and support, and know they are not alone,'' she said.
Students Georgia Leonard-Shannon, Brydie Davies, Maddie Franks, Georgina Summers and Ally Curnow said it was important the school was involved.
''People need to be made aware, especially girls our age,'' Ms Leonard-Shannon said.
''Our school has been affected by suicide, so it is on a personal level as well.''
''It is an issue that is evident in adolescence,'' Ms Davies said.
''It is important to get people talking about the issue and say that it is OK to talk about it,'' Ms Curnow said.
''We need to say to people, don’t be afraid to speak up, there are always services provided,'' Ms Kurzke-Michell said.
The SPAN committee would like to see staff from businesses turn out to the walk in uniform or wearing business shirts to support the event.
Anyone wanting to sponsor the walk should call SPAN central Victoria group member Alannah McGregor on 0408 541 082.
