Suicide Prevention Australia

Listen to an interview with the Walk It Off team who walked from the Gold Coast to Sydney to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. Listen to their stories, hear about their lived experience of suicide, the highs and lows of the walk, the impact on local communities and how the walk has changed their lives. Many thanks to our friends at RadioHubAU https://radiohub.com.au/ for this touching record of a great adventure! Running time: 1 hour 53 mins After two years of planning, in October 2016 SPA Community Ambassador Ben Higgs and mates Shawn Howell, Dave McElhinney, Jason Webb, Steven Heighes and former Penrith NRL player Darren Brown undertook a 916km journey from the Gold Coast to Sydney on Friday to raise money and awareness. #ManyVoicesOneGoal #livedexp #suicideprevention Please take care when listening as it may bring up tough emotions. If you need support beyond a trusted family member or friend, there are a number of options available to you in Australia. A comprehensive list can

We are honoured to share this song by Brisbane band ROI with you on our podcast channel, a powerful single based on a true story. It is called Maths and Engineering. Suicide Prevention Australia is passionate about supporting people who have been impacted by suicide to be heard through our national network of lived experience. Sharing through the medium of song is such a beautiful way of hearing those voices and stories. Thank you so much to ROI for this captivating personal piece and your passion for raising awareness. If you'd like to support our work to help those who've been impacted by suicide be heard in prevention efforts, please donate now to support our 2017 program https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/donate Every dollar is very much appreciated. If listening to this brings up tough emotions for you, please reach out to trusted family members, friends or one of our partners who are there to support you. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, Mensline on 1300 78 99 78 or vis

This story is shared with us by Lived Experience Network Member Trent. Thank you so much for sharing Trent. Podcast length: 5m 58 sec. Find out more about our Lived Experience Network (LEN) by visiting https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/projects/learning-lived-experience It is so important to talk openly and safely about suicide but, if listening to this triggers difficult emotions in you, please talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted family member, friend or people at one of our partner organisations. Call Lifeline on 131114, MensLine 1300 78 99 78, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Kids Helpline 1800 551800 FREE. For a comprehensive list of Australian support and services available visit https://communitiesmatter.suicidepreventionaust.org/content/useful-contacts Outside of Australia? Find local support http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/ #suicideprevention #livedexp #SPALEN #mentalhealth #PTSD TRANSCRIPT: It was Good Friday in 2012, and it definitely was a good day. War

This story is shared with us by Lived Experience Network Member Stef Caminiti. An extra special shout out to Stef's cat who makes a guest appearance in the recording. Thank you so much for sharing Stef. Podcast length: 10m 2 sec. Find out more about our Lived Experience Network (LEN) by visiting https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/projects/learning-lived-experience It is so important to talk openly and safely about suicide but, if listening to this triggers difficult emotions in you, please talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted family member, friend or people at one of our partner organisations. Call Lifeline on 131114, MensLine 1300 78 99 78, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Kids Helpline 1800 551800 FREE. For a comprehensive list of Australian support and services available visit https://communitiesmatter.suicidepreventionaust.org/content/useful-contacts Outside of Australia? Find local support http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/ #suicideprevention #livedexp #SPALEN #dep

Associate Professor Julie Cerel, Associate Professor, College of Social Work, University of Kentucky, Kentucky, USA & President-Elect, American Association of Suicidology speaks to Suicide Prevention Australia at the National Suicide Prevention Conference about why suicide prevention is important to her, new research coming out of the US, the impact of suicide exposure and how people can contribute to a positive ripple effect in their community. #NSPC15 Running time 3m 55s It is so important to talk openly and safely about suicide but, if listening to this triggers difficult emotions in you, please talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted family member, friend or people at one of our partner organisations. Call Lifeline on 131114, MensLine 1300 78 99 78, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Kids Helpline 1800 551800 FREE

Associate Professor Myfanwy Maple, Associate Professor, Social Work, University of New England and Executive Director on the Board of Suicide Prevention Australia and the Chair of the National Suicide Prevention Conference 2016 speaks with Suicide Prevention Australia about why suicide prevention is important, new research broadening our understanding of exposure to suicide, and what people can do to create a positive ripple effect in their communities. #NSPC16 Download the report at https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/exposure-and-impact-survey Running time 3m 07s It is so important to talk openly and safely about suicide but, if listening to this or reading the report triggers difficult emotions in you, please talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted family member, friend or people at one of our partner organisations. Call Lifeline on 131114, MensLine 1300 78 99 78, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Kids Helpline 1800 551800 FREE

Suicide Prevention Australia is proud to work with members of the Lived Experience Network (LEN) made up of people from across the country who have been brought together by their personal experience of suicide and united by hope. We believe that the wisdom gained by those with lived experience of suicide must be used to inform suicide prevention. We were pleased to welcome Evan Bichara to the National Suicide Prevention Conference as a representative of LEN to acknowledge the value and knowledge shared by this diverse group of individuals. #NSPC16 Running time 7m 25s Find out more about the national Lived Experience Network at https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/projects/learning-lived-experience It is so important to talk openly and safely about suicide but, if listening to this triggers difficult emotions in you, please talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted family member, friend or people at one of our partner organisations. Call Lifeline on 131114, MensLine 1300 78 99 78, Suicide Call Back S

This is the story of Tracy McCown, Manager of Suicide Prevention Australia's national Lived Experience Network (LEN). Tracy shares her lived experience reflections following attendance at the Wesley Lifeforce Memorial Service as part of World Suicide Prevention Day 2016. Thank you so much for sharing Tracy. Podcast length: 7m 24 sec. Find out more about our Lived Experience Network (LEN) by visiting https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/projects/learning-lived-experience It is so important to talk openly and safely about suicide but, if listening to this triggers difficult emotions in you, please talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted family member, friend or people at one of our partner organisations. Call Lifeline on 131114, MensLine 1300 78 99 78, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Kids Helpline 1800 551800 FREE. Outside of Australia? Find local support http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/ #suicideprevention #livedexp #SPALEN #WSPD TRANSCRIPT: This year I attended the Wesley

Audio version of an article published in September issue of the South Sydney Herald. Running time 4 mins 11 seconds. Full text of article here http://www.southsydneyherald.com.au/language-matters-when-it-comes-to-suicide/#.V9-kI49OIy8 #conversationsmatter #livedexp Find out more about how to get involved in SPA's national Lived Experience Network at https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/projects/learning-lived-experience/ways-get-involved

This webinar briefing, exclusive to Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) members, was held on Friday 9 September 2016 in advance of the release of the 'Understanding Exposure and Impact of Suicide in Australia' report on World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September). Download the Report at https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/exposure-and-impact-survey Watch a VIDEO of the webinar at https://www.youtube.com/edit?video_id=Dhn9KmNEaJA The hour long session was facilitated by SPA Deputy CEO Kim Borrowdale and featured lead researcher Associate Professor Myfanwy Maple and research team member Michelle Kwan. Please take care when listening as it could bring up tough stuff, particularly if you have been personally impacted by suicide. Support services can be found here - https://communitiesmatter.suicidepreventionaust.org/content/useful-contacts If you have any questions after viewing this, please get in touch with the SPA team anytime at admin@suicidepreventionaust.org

This is a speech SPA Ambassador and lived experience advocate, Lauren Breen, made at a conference in Abingdon (Southwest Virginia) in August 2016. Lauren is passionate about raising awareness of suicide prevention and harnessing the voices of people with a lived experience of suicide. If you want to learn how to safely share your story of lived experience like Lauren, think about joining the SPA Lived Experience Network and applying to attend the Lived Experience Speakers Bureau. Find out more about Network by visiting www.suicidepreventionaust.org It is so important to talk openly and safely about suicide but, if listening to this triggers difficult emotions in you, please talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted family member, friend or people at one of our partner organisations - https://communitiesmatter.suicidepreventionaust.org/content/useful-contacts Full speech transcript here - http://www.laurenbreen.com.au/speech/ #therippleeffect #livedexp #suicideprevention #hope Gloria Hunniford has a

Speech by SPA Head of Communications, Kim Borrowdale, when she spoke as part of the Mindframe National Media Initiative Panel at the Australia and New Zealand Communication Association Conference held in Newcastle on 7 July 2016. #‎comms #‎ANZCA2016 Full text of speaking notes below: Recently I was the extremely grateful recipient of a grant from The Ian Potter Foundation. It was the first time they’ve offered an International Learning and Development Grant specifically to people working in Not for Profit organisations. I was lucky enough to be able to use this opportunity to visit a range of colleagues working in health, development and communications in the UK, with a specific focus on learning lessons on stakeholder engagement. Today I’d like to share some of those lessons with you. But, before I do that I’d like to wish my friends at Mindframe National Media Initiative a very happy 18th birthday. In my role heading up communications at peak body Suicide Prevention Australia, I work very closely with Mi

Australia, 19 June 2016: Suicide Prevention Australia, lead agency for the National Coalition for Suicide Prevention, welcomes the Australian Labor Party's $72m suicide prevention plan announced by Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten MP today - https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/news/media-release-peak-body-commends-shorten-stand-suicide-and-calls-all-parties-double-funding This plan is, in the most part, aligned to the Suicide Prevention Australia 2016 Election Manifesto and the National Mental Health Commission Review recommendations. Key points from Labor's plan include: • Additional $9m to a dedicated national research fund as recommended by the National Research Action Plan for Suicide Prevention. Suicide Prevention Australia will work to leverage this in order to increase philanthropic and community donations • Funding to keep 95 headspace centres across Australia open for our youth • Commitment to funding 12 regional suicide prevention trials as outlined in the National Mental Health Commissio

SPA staff member Kim on attending The Alliance of Suicide Prevention Charities (TASC) UK quarterly meeting. Original blog post can be found here https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/news/somewhere-between-heartbreak-and-hope-lived-experience-suicide-prevention It is so important to talk openly and safely about suicide but, if listening to this triggers difficult emotions in you, please talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted family member, friend or people at one of our partner organisations. Call Lifeline on 131114, MensLine 1300 78 99 78, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Kids Helpline 1800 551800 FREE. Outside of Australia? Find local support http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/ #suicideprevention #livedexp Transcript: As someone whose family has been touched by suicide as well as a communications professional whose job it is to translate the work of those in the suicide prevention sector, I often feel like my emotions are fluctuating somewhere between heartbreak and hope. Nev

Dr Pauline Turnbull, Project Manager at Centre for Suicide Prevention (University of Manchester) gives a brief introduction to the National Confidential Inquiry, the UK's leading research program in this field. Find out more about the Inquiry by visiting www.manchester.ac.uk/nci #suicideprevention

Clare tells us that this podcast is "a suggestion about staying alive long enough to find your special change that will allow you to be so deeply happy that you will want to live forever, made by Clare Headland, a woman who lived for 65 years before finding her reason to live." A video version of this podcast is also available on our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bGvuxOvdUo Clare is a member of the SPA Lived Experience Network and is a 'graduate' of our Suicide Prevention Lived Experience Speakers Bureau Program. In this program we help participants construct a compelling story about their lived experience of suicide and give them the skills to adapt that story to suit a wide range of audiences from corporate and community groups, to sporting clubs and schools. Speakers are requested for different reasons from a desire to raise awareness and increase understanding of the impact of suicide to more specific needs such as following a recent suicide within an organisation. Find out more abo

"The truth is, what if doesn’t really matter, it doesn’t make a difference, it doesn’t change anything. All that matters is what now. " Lived Experience Network advisor Hayley Purdon reflects on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) release of 2014 Causes of Death data (8 March 2016). Thank you so much for sharing Hayley. Read the SPA media statement - http://suicidepreventionaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/MEDIA-RELEASE-National-peak-body-calls-for-Australia-to-stem-the-tide-of-suicide.pdf Podcast length: 2m 24 sec. It is so important to talk openly and safely about suicide but, if listening to this triggers difficult emotions in you, please talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted family member, friend or people at one of our partner organisations. Call Lifeline on 131114, MensLine 1300 78 99 78, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Kids Helpline 1800 551800 FREE. Outside of Australia? Find local support http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/ #suicideprevention #livedexp

This is the story of Justin Geange, member of our Lived Experience Network (LEN) and one of our trained speakers following his attendance at a Suicide Prevention Lived Experience Speakers Bureau workshop. He also has recorded a song to encourage us all to ask R U OK? Have a listen here https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/hey-are-you-ok-single/id1016087525 Thank you so much for sharing Justin. Podcast length: 6m 20 sec. It is so important to talk openly and safely about suicide but, if listening to this triggers difficult emotions in you, please talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted family member, friend or people at one of our partner organisations. Call Lifeline on 131114, MensLine 1300 78 99 78, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Kids Helpline 1800 551800 FREE. Outside of Australia? Find local support http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/ #suicideprevention #livedexp #SPALEN #RUOK TRANSCRIPT: G'day, my name is Justin Geange Plumber, Supermodel and daggy dad joke specialist! I just

This is the audio from a video created as part of our Lived Experience Network Learning and Development series, LEN Learn. Watch the video here - https://youtu.be/IC-1mtsbRpY It features LEN leader Lauren Breen and SPA staff member Kim Borrowdale talking about how to take community action to prevent suicide. They answer the below questions: I have been touched by suicide. Where do I start? Where do I go to get help? How can I share and learn from others? What are some of the barriers I can expect? What is your top tip for those starting out? Where can my efforts take me? Why do you do it? Find out more about the Lived Experience Network by visiting www.suicidepreventionaust.org Many thanks to everyone involved in the making of this video. It is so important to talk openly and safely about suicide but, if listening to this triggers difficult emotions in you, please talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted family member, friend or people at one of our partner organisations. Call Lifeline on 131114, MensL

Join Lauren Breen, one of our Community Ambassadors, as she talks through some of the things you may want to think through before getting actively involved in suicide prevention activities. This is particularly important if you are thinking of sharing your lived experience of suicide in a public forum (speaking engagement, media, social media, community meetings etc). Download a copy of our guide to thinking about your personal readiness and self care on our website -https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/projects/learning-lived-experience #livedexp #SuicidePrevention