Hundreds of people walked in memory of loved ones at the Bendigo Suicide Prevention Walk in Dai Gum San precinct this morning.
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The SPAN Walk is an opportunity for people to be in an open and safe environment, with no shame or stigma that often comes with talking about suicide
Organiser and founder of Bendigo SPAN Alannah McGregor said it was important people reduce the stigma of talking about suicide.
“It nice that people want to put the subject in the open,” she said.
“Personally I have had a lot of phone calls from people who have been bereaved. Some said they think it's good people are talking about it and that the only time they have felt comfortable was in this area where everybody s feeling the same.
“The other side of that is that there are more people talking about it and more people are willing to.”
Ms McGregor said with more people being open about the topic of suicide prevention, there will need to be an increase in services.
“With statistics being as bad as they are this year, every single area of people of mental health need to help,”
“More people are asking for help, so therefore we need the services there. We want people to ask for help and break that stigma, doing that brings more people into the services.”
Among all the event organisation that Ms McGregor oversees, she also makes time to remember her two children Stuart and Angela who took their own lives.
“During the butterfly ceremony I give myself a moment,” she said.
“Doing the organising is a way to honour my kids in a positive way but I give myself a moment while putting butterflies on there.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing a difficult time, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.
