Central Victorian agencies unite for 2018 World Suicide Prevention Day, R U OK? Day

Monday marks World Suicide Prevention Day, and Thursday is R U OK? Day.

From schools to shopping centres, central Victorian organisations and community groups are embracing the opportunities to raise awareness of the importance of a simple conversation.

Marist College Bendigo and La Trobe University are among the education providers with events organised for next week, while Crusoe College got in early with an event last week.

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An R U OK? Day event has been arranged for the Bendigo Markerplace on Thursday from 10am – 3pm, with Bendigo Community Health Services representatives available throughout the day to answer questions and provide advice. Righteous Pups is expected to provide a puppy therapy zone.

The ELM Network is hosting a World Suicide Prevention Day event at Castlemaine’s Bridge Hotel on Monday from 7.30pm – 10.30pm.

Grassroots initiatives such as the Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group, The Every Life Matters Network, HALT, and SPAN are banding together for a suicide prevention walk at Woodend Children’s Park from 9.30am tomorrow.

The walk is a public event and all are invited to join in.

Anne-Marie Kelly, from Bendigo Community Health Services, believes people are getting better at speaking about mental health, which can be a factor in suicidal thoughts  – so much so that she believes the community is shifting its thinking towards preventative actions.

Jeremy Forbes, from HALT and The ELM Network, says he frequently receives calls from men in the community seeking to learn more about how to support their friends and loved ones through difficult times.

SPAN’s Alannah McGregor says people remain uncertain about how to respond when someone shares that they are not ok, or when someone is bereaved from suicide.

Those working in the field are hopeful at the progress being made, but say there is much more to be done.

Several groups, including SPAN and HALT, have identified a need for further educational resources and are working to develop them.

Noelene Ward, from MRSPAG, said a Regional Suicide Prevention Alliance had recently formed to advocate for flexible, responsive and integrated mental health services and the creation of a community support model.

FEAR is one of the biggest barriers to conversations about suicide, people working in the sector say.

The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health’s Fiona Livingstone said most people would like to play a role in suicide prevention but weren’t confident of their ability to help.

“Community members play a significant role,” she said.

Often, Ms Livingstone said it was a person’s family, friends, colleagues or peers that noticed changes in their behaviour.

While health professionals were important, she said community members also played an integral role in identifying an issue and supporting that person to seek help.

Ms Livingstone said acts of kindness such as a smile of acknowledgement could also make a big difference.

“Small acts can have such positive consequences that most people wouldn’t be aware of, she said.

If you or someone you know needs urgent support, talk to someone you trust or contact a crisis support service, such as beyondblue on 1300 22 46 36, Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

In an emergency, call 000.