The gathering marks International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day and is the first commemorative event of its kind for The ELM Network – Every Life Matters.

“Community engagement is a very important part of suicide prevention,” The ELM Network’s Jeremy Forbes said.

Attendees will be offered opportunities to participate in a memorial walk, to hear from guest speakers, and to share their own experiences.

Related: Central Victorian agencies welcome #YouCanTalk suicide prevention campaign

Participants can also choose to become involved in creating a memory quilt.

Mr Forbes said there would be people at the event who had been trained to offer support.

He was hopeful 30 – 40 people would attend.

The ELM Network’s inaugural International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day event builds on a number of suicide prevention efforts, including World Suicide Prevention Day in September.

“There has to be an ongoing recognition of this issue,” Mr Forbes said.

“We need constant reminders of what’s happening.”

Last year, 3128 people in Australia took their own lives – the second time since 2015 that more than 3000 people have died by suicide.

Victoria was one of three states to record fewer deaths related to intentional self-harm.

Attendees at tomorrow’s International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day event in Castlemaine are expected to start gathering from 10.30am, ahead of an 11am start.

Mr Forbes said the event would run until about 1pm and people were welcome to drop in at any time.

The Buda Historic Home and Garden is located at 42 Hunter Street, Castlemaine.

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.

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