Podcasts about suicide prevention australia

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Jacinta Hawgood about evaluating suicide prevention training programs, their effectiveness, and the critical role they play in reducing suicide rates. Jacinta Hawgood is Associate Professor and Program Director of Suicidology at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP), Griffith University, where she has worked since 2000. She is a recognised national and international expert in suicide prevention and education, and her clinical work in suicidology and clinical psychology spans 27 years, operating a casual practice inclusive of client work, supervision and consultancy since 1999. Jacinta is the lead author of Systematic Tailored Assessment for Responding to Suicidality protocol (STARS-p) (Hawgood & De Leo, 2015; 2018; 2024), and associated STARS-p training. Jacinta's primary research expertise is focused on psychosocial needs-based assessment and application, which developed over time including through her clinical work in suicide prevention, and her PhD where she tested and evaluated the feasibility and application of STARS protocol and related training and workforce and lived experience perceptions of these two related elements. Jacinta is also a board director of MATES in Construction (Qld/NT) and National MATES Inc. and national academic reference group member of National MATES, advisory expert member for Roses in the Ocean, and Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning, to mention a few. She is past board director of Suicide Prevention Australia (2015-2021), and several other national and international advisory boards regarding suicide prevention. Jacinta has a reviewing role for peer-reviewed journals in this domain and has presented research findings at a range of state, national and international conferences, has co-authored and edited a book, book chapters, and published numerous peer-reviewed articles and government reports in the field.Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/jacinta-hawgoodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

كشف بحث جديد أجرته منظمة Beyond Blue أن واحدًا من كل خمسة أشخاص يعاني من "تأثيرات شديدة" على صحته العقلية والنفسية بسبب ارتفاع تكاليف المعيشة. وتوصلت دراسة منفصلة أجرتها منظمة Suicide Prevention Australia أن الموظفين في منتصف العمر ممن يتقاضون أجوراً متوسطة معرضون بشكل خاص لمخاطر مضاعفة بسبب الضغوط المالية. وقال المتحدث الرسمي باسم Beyond Blue، الدكتور جرانت بلاشكي، إن البحث يأتي في وقت من المرجح أن يكون هناك طلب متزايد على الدعم، حيث يؤدي موسم العطلات والأعياد إلى تفاقم الضغوط المالية للكثيرين. كيف يتعامل افراد الجالية العربية مع هذه الضغوطات؟ هل من طرق وآليات بإمكاننا اتباعها للتخفيف من هذا الأثر؟ هل يخجل الرجل الشرقي من الإقرار بأنه يتعرض لضغوط مالية تؤثر سلباً على صحته النفسية والعقلية؟ الإجابة في الملف الصوتي أعلى الصفحة مع الأخصائية النفسية هانيا مسعود.

Darren Black, the CEO of SuperFriend, is an innovative and pragmatic leader who strives every day to create a culture of care.As a former Army Officer, UN Peacekeeper, and now sitting on the Board of Suicide Prevention Australia and The Australian Men's Health Forum, he has worked with a number of NFP that have focused on improving the wellbeing of Australians, as he is passionate about improving mental health and suicide prevention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Matt Pepar chat with Alan Woodward Australian National Mental Health Commissioner, Founder of Lifeline Research, Board Member of Grand Pacific Health and involved with Lifeline International. The award recognised and celebrated the outstanding mental health leadership in the clinical, academic or professional sectors at a national level. Alan discusses how he traversed an unconventional path into the field of suicide research. His upbringing in Wollongong, work as an evaluator, contributions to national mental health policy development and long and distinguished career working in the fields of mental health, crisis support and suicide prevention for 20 years as an executive leader, service and program developer, evaluator and researcher and as an expert on crisis lines and related community services. Alan has contributed to suicide prevention policy and program development nationally. He co-chaired the Expert Advisory Group to the Special Advisor on Suicide Prevention and was a Board Director for nine years with Suicide Prevention Australia. He worked for Lifeline Australia in various executive roles for 14 years until 2018, including the Lifeline Research Foundation. Alan has a Master's Degree in Social Science and Policy, a Business Degree in Public Administration and a Diploma in Arts/Communication and is a Fellow of the Australian Evaluation Society. Quote – "The sad reality is that many people experiencing mental health problems that are affecting their enjoyment of life and limit their contributions to work, family, or community, do not approach services for help. A barrier can be the stigma surrounding mental health. People are reluctant to name their mental health needs for fear of being criticized, shamed or ignored. Worse still, some people who experience mental health conditions also experience discrimination towards them in how they receive (or don't receive) services, employment, education, recreation, cultural and community opportunities. Sometimes already vulnerable people have their human rights ignored” (Alan Woodward, Linkedin, 2022).

Thank you for listening to this episode from my archives. Stay tuned for a refreshed podcast theme, new guests, and even artwork soon! Send me a DM on Instagram @melissallarena - I would love to hear your thoughts on this "best of episode." Joe Williams is a former NRL player, professional boxer, and turned mental health advocate, who's bringing The Enemy Within workshops to various communities. The Enemy Within is built on its five pillars of values: love, care, respect, humility, and compassion.  Joe is known for his committed work within the community mental health and suicide prevention sectors. During our conversation, Joe mentions how we always talk about, "it takes a village to raise a child." And he makes a valid point that we don't have a village anymore. We wake up and go to work and send our kids off to school or to daycare in the morning, pick them up in the afternoon, and put them to bed. Unfortunately, we're not raised by our village anymore. Our kids are being shipped off and passed around by all these different people that have absolutely no idea who they are.  Now, where is this magical village that was supposed to help us raise our kids and support our families? How can we heal as a society and recover from some of the consequences that come from living in a concrete jungle? What practical wisdom might we want to borrow from indigenous and/or aboriginal societies that have worked for thousands of years?  You may be new to this podcast and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening. In exchange, I want you to know that I believe you're in control of your overall well-being and success, whether you're a parent or not. My perspective comes from being a daughter to a mom who has manic depression. I've witnessed a parent whose capacity took a hit and had grown up in that environment. I had to figure out the tools, methods, and ways to show up resiliently in my life. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to achieve my goals and ambitions as a coach to moms in business, a podcast host who has brought on big names like GaryVee and Suzy Batiz, nor as a mom to three young sons.  Before jumping into today's story and wisdom, I want to be sure you are connected to a completely free group of powerful, driven, and resilient moms with child-proofed coaching or services businesses that can bounce back faster after family interruptions.  What is a child-proof business? The key to business success as a coach, podcaster, or service business professional is that you and your business can navigate the volatile and unpredictable changes – childcare, illness, newborn, homeschool, etc. Join our Facebook group: Resilient Moms With Child-Proof High Impact Businesses: https://bit.ly/curiousmom. Share this with a mom in business who values her mental health and that of her children because Joe offers wisdom that can honestly save someone's life. This conversation offers the key to healing as a society and for generations to come. Meet Joe Joe is a proud Wiradjuri/Wolgalu, First Nations Aboriginal man born in Cowra, raised in Wagga NSW, Australia. Joe played in the National Rugby League for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers, and Canterbury Bulldogs before switching to professional Boxing in 2009. Joe is a 2x WBF World Jnr Welterweight champion and won the WBC Asia Continental Title.  Although forging a successful professional sporting career, Joe battled the majority of his life with suicidal ideation and bipolar disorder. After a suicide attempt in 2012, Joe felt his purpose was to help people who struggle with mental illness. Through customized workshops, Joe talks of dealing with adversities, struggles, resilience, addiction, connection, emotional wellbeing & healing trauma in schools, communities, correctional services, sporting clubs, and workplaces. Joe was awarded the Wagga Wagga Citizen of the Year in 2015 for his committed work within the community mental health and suicide prevention sectors and was named a finalist in the National Indigenous Human Rights Awards. In 2018, Joe was awarded Suicide Prevention Australia's highest honor, a LiFE Award for his excellence in communities within the suicide prevention sector. In 2019, he was named a dual winner of the Australian Mental Health Prize.  Now a published author, Joe's autobiography “Defying The Enemy Within” shares not only his life's story but also offers practical tools anyone can implement to improve and maintain their emotional wellbeing. Joe also contributed to the book, “Transformation; Turning Tragedy into Triumph” and was featured in the documentary, “Suicide: The Ripple Effect”. Highlights Mental Health: Decide to proactively identify the best mental health tools for you and begin to implement them. Introspection: Think about modern society and see what parts are not serving you or your kids. Use this chat as an invitation for self-reflection because you don't have to copy/paste what everyone else is doing…not as a mom nor in business. Values: Learn about the values of society you admire (one that is authentic to you or one you admire from a distance). Distraction: We sit from nine to five in front of the computer. We go home tired because we're working and earning money for someone else. We get nasty at our children because we've had a tough day, not even worrying about how emotionally unstable our kids are. Lineage: Every family has patterns and mythology of thought, belief, and behavior that are passed on from one generation to another, the same way physical characteristics have been passed on. Compassion: Everyone is the way they are for a reason. We just need to be kind and compassionate to each other.  Awareness: Any outburst of emotional pain is a response to something else. A lot of the time, it's not directly related to the person we're out bursting and responding to. We're triggered by something that happened to us many years ago - and awareness is key. Expression: We fail to talk about mental health due to shame. It's sad how children are not given the agency to regulate their emotions because adults don't allow them to. We have to look back to go forward again. Connection: As human beings, we are born wired for love and connection. People have been connected since the beginning of time. And we're more disconnected than we've ever been in the history of humankind.  Gift: Shamans walk into mental health facilities and they don't see sickness. They see an abundance of people who are spiritually gifted.  Grounding: If people are 70% water, and the earth is made up of water, we need to get back to water. Anxiety: The fact that we're so sick as people now is because we project forward into a future that may not even be there. Depression: Anything that we're depressed about has happened in our past. But the best we can do is learn from it and adjust it to be better.  Presence: All we have is a moment of presence and it becomes the past. It's about being the absolute best person that we can be in the present moment.  Advocate: Advocate for yourself and don't be afraid to speak up. Be the best version of yourself – but you have to do your work. Values: The opposite of respect is disrespect. The opposite of compassion is judgment. The opposite of humility is ego. The opposites of those values are aligned with behaviors as well.  Acceptance: We don't know what the destination looks like yet. We just have to be grateful and thankful and try to find peace with that. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes with similar themes: How To Rebuild Yourself After Trauma With Faith, Hope, and Mindset, Timothy Phelps is the Author of The Invisible Child: Overcoming the Odds, Episode 58 Will Travis, Global Brand Builder and Creator of Elevation Barn Talks About How to Boost Morale and How to Become an Elevated Leader, Episode 33 Books mentioned: The Dreaming Path What Happened to You? Lost Connections Links to continue to learn from: Website: www.joewilliams.com.au  Instagram: @joewilliams_tew Twitter: @joewilliams_tew Facebook: The Enemy Within: Suicide Prevention Trauma Recovery & Wellbeing FREE DOWNLOAD Want to grab your free copy of the Courage Makerspace (™) Playbook? Download the Courage Makerspace(™) here www.melissallarena.com/courage   Boost your courage in 7-days using the exact courage design tools that have worked for both me and my clients. Grab your free playbook instantly so that you can discover how to:   Figure out what makes you tick Be more accountable and not procrastinate Overcome imposter syndrome Stop caring about what others think Progress despite self-doubt Manage anxiety Ask for help You will have a step-by-step playbook to help you finally fulfill your life purpose! Do not miss out on this free opportunity as it will not be available for long. Love An Interview With Melissa Llarena podcast?  You can now support my time in producing the show with Patreon. If you find that the podcast inspires you and you'd like to help support this labor of love, please consider supporting me on Patreon for a couple of dollars per month. You'll get early access to my video-recorded episodes featuring unreleased guest insights; your name and/or business will be mentioned during an episode. You'll also see how I have connected with powerful world leaders so that you can network more effectively in any field or help you pitch hard-to-reach guests on your own platform. Then if you are feeling extra generous for only $10/a month, you'll get everything previously mentioned plus be invited to my monthly LIVE 30-Minute “Ball Juggling” Group Calls where I'll field your business or work-life questions, podcast/guest questions, and share with you courage hacks and imaginative tips so you can feel sane, level-headed, and stay on track pertaining to your upcoming goals. Want to continue the conversation? Find me on Instagram! You can read my daily mini-blogs centered on the same three topics that my podcast features: creativity, courage, and curiosity. I believe that without all three it would be impossible to solve the challenges we were each uniquely made to solve. Wouldn't you agree? I'm easy to find on Instagram @melissallarena Rather keep it professional? Let's connect on LinkedIn. I encourage every single podcast listener to connect with me.

TRIGGER WARNING This interview contains comments around self harm and suicide. If you, or anyone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. The financial situation going on at the moment is causing stress for everyday Aussies. In fact, around 70 per cent of people say they feel elevated distress beyond their normal levels compared with this time last year. And cost of living is the biggest factor in stress levels. This has all come from the Suicide Prevention Australia's annual State of the Nation report, released today. And the deputy CEO Matthew McLean joins the show to discuss the situation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Williams is a former NRL player, professional boxer, and turned mental health advocate, who's bringing The Enemy Within workshops to various communities. The Enemy Within is built on its five pillars of values: love, care, respect, humility, and compassion.  Joe is known for his committed work within the community mental health and suicide prevention sectors. During our conversation, Joe mentions how we always talk about, "it takes a village to raise a child." And he makes a valid point that we don't have a village anymore. We wake up and go to work and send our kids off to school or to daycare in the morning, pick them up in the afternoon, and put them to bed. Unfortunately, we're not raised by our village anymore. Our kids are being shipped off and passed around by all these different people that have absolutely no idea who they are.  Now, where is this magical village that was supposed to help us raise our kids and support our families? How can we heal as a society and recover from some of the consequences that come from living in a concrete jungle? What practical wisdom might we want to borrow from indigenous and/or aboriginal societies that have worked for thousands of years?  You may be new to this podcast and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening. In exchange, I want you to know that I believe you're in control of your overall well-being and success, whether you're a parent or not. My perspective comes from being a daughter to a mom who has manic depression. I've witnessed a parent whose capacity took a hit and had grown up in that environment. I had to figure out the tools, methods, and ways to show up resiliently in my life. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to achieve my goals and ambitions as a coach to moms in business, a podcast host who has brought on big names like GaryVee and Suzy Batiz, nor as a mom to three young sons.  Before jumping into today's story and wisdom, I want to be sure you are connected to a completely free group of powerful, driven, and resilient moms with child-proofed coaching or services businesses that can bounce back faster after family interruptions.  What is a child-proof business? The key to business success as a coach, podcaster, or service business professional is that you and your business can navigate the volatile and unpredictable changes – childcare, illness, newborn, homeschool, etc. Join our Facebook group: Resilient Moms With Child-Proof High Impact Businesses: https://bit.ly/curiousmom. Share this with a mom in business who values her mental health and that of her children because Joe offers wisdom that can honestly save someone's life. This conversation offers the key to healing as a society and for generations to come. Meet Joe Joe is a proud Wiradjuri/Wolgalu, First Nations Aboriginal man born in Cowra, raised in Wagga NSW, Australia. Joe played in the National Rugby League for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers, and Canterbury Bulldogs before switching to professional Boxing in 2009. Joe is a 2x WBF World Jnr Welterweight champion and won the WBC Asia Continental Title.  Although forging a successful professional sporting career, Joe battled the majority of his life with suicidal ideation and bipolar disorder. After a suicide attempt in 2012, Joe felt his purpose was to help people who struggle with mental illness. Through customized workshops, Joe talks of dealing with adversities, struggles, resilience, addiction, connection, emotional wellbeing & healing trauma in schools, communities, correctional services, sporting clubs, and workplaces. Joe was awarded the Wagga Wagga Citizen of the Year in 2015 for his committed work within the community mental health and suicide prevention sectors and was named a finalist in the National Indigenous Human Rights Awards. In 2018, Joe was awarded Suicide Prevention Australia's highest honor, a LiFE Award for his excellence in communities within the suicide prevention sector. In 2019, he was named a dual winner of the Australian Mental Health Prize.  Now a published author, Joe's autobiography “Defying The Enemy Within” shares not only his life's story but also offers practical tools anyone can implement to improve and maintain their emotional wellbeing. Joe also contributed to the book, “Transformation; Turning Tragedy into Triumph” and was featured in the documentary, “Suicide: The Ripple Effect”. Highlights Mental Health: Decide to proactively identify the best mental health tools for you and begin to implement them. Introspection: Think about modern society and see what parts are not serving you or your kids. Use this chat as an invitation for self-reflection because you don't have to copy/paste what everyone else is doing…not as a mom nor in business. Values: Learn about the values of society you admire (one that is authentic to you or one you admire from a distance). Distraction: We sit from nine to five in front of the computer. We go home tired because we're working and earning money for someone else. We get nasty at our children because we've had a tough day, not even worrying about how emotionally unstable our kids are. Lineage: Every family has patterns and mythology of thought, belief, and behavior that are passed on from one generation to another, the same way physical characteristics have been passed on. Compassion: Everyone is the way they are for a reason. We just need to be kind and compassionate to each other.  Awareness: Any outburst of emotional pain is a response to something else. A lot of the time, it's not directly related to the person we're out bursting and responding to. We're triggered by something that happened to us many years ago - and awareness is key. Expression: We fail to talk about mental health due to shame. It's sad how children are not given the agency to regulate their emotions because adults don't allow them to. We have to look back to go forward again. Connection: As human beings, we are born wired for love and connection. People have been connected since the beginning of time. And we're more disconnected than we've ever been in the history of humankind.  Gift: Shamans walk into mental health facilities and they don't see sickness. They see an abundance of people who are spiritually gifted.  Grounding: If people are 70% water, and the earth is made up of water, we need to get back to water. Anxiety: The fact that we're so sick as people now is because we project forward into a future that may not even be there. Depression: Anything that we're depressed about has happened in our past. But the best we can do is learn from it and adjust it to be better.  Presence: All we have is a moment of presence and it becomes the past. It's about being the absolute best person that we can be in the present moment.  Advocate: Advocate for yourself and don't be afraid to speak up. Be the best version of yourself – but you have to do your work. Values: The opposite of respect is disrespect. The opposite of compassion is judgment. The opposite of humility is ego. The opposites of those values are aligned with behaviors as well.  Acceptance: We don't know what the destination looks like yet. We just have to be grateful and thankful and try to find peace with that. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes with similar themes: How To Rebuild Yourself After Trauma With Faith, Hope, and Mindset, Timothy Phelps is the Author of The Invisible Child: Overcoming the Odds, Episode 58 Will Travis, Global Brand Builder and Creator of Elevation Barn Talks About How to Boost Morale and How to Become an Elevated Leader, Episode 33 Books mentioned: The Dreaming Path What Happened to You? Lost Connections Links to continue to learn from: Website: www.joewilliams.com.au  Instagram: @joewilliams_tew Twitter: @joewilliams_tew Facebook: The Enemy Within: Suicide Prevention Trauma Recovery & Wellbeing FREE DOWNLOAD Want to grab your free copy of the Courage Makerspace (™) Playbook? Download the Courage Makerspace(™) here www.melissallarena.com/courage   Boost your courage in 7-days using the exact courage design tools that have worked for both me and my clients. Grab your free playbook instantly so that you can discover how to:   Figure out what makes you tick Be more accountable and not procrastinate Overcome imposter syndrome Stop caring about what others think Progress despite self-doubt Manage anxiety Ask for help You will have a step-by-step playbook to help you finally fulfill your life purpose! Do not miss out on this free opportunity as it will not be available for long. Love An Interview With Melissa Llarena podcast?  You can now support my time in producing the show with Patreon. If you find that the podcast inspires you and you'd like to help support this labor of love, please consider supporting me on Patreon for a couple of dollars per month. You'll get early access to my video-recorded episodes featuring unreleased guest insights; your name and/or business will be mentioned during an episode. You'll also see how I have connected with powerful world leaders so that you can network more effectively in any field or help you pitch hard-to-reach guests on your own platform. Then if you are feeling extra generous for only $10/a month, you'll get everything previously mentioned plus be invited to my monthly LIVE 30-Minute “Ball Juggling” Group Calls where I'll field your business or work-life questions, podcast/guest questions, and share with you courage hacks and imaginative tips so you can feel sane, level-headed, and stay on track pertaining to your upcoming goals. Want to continue the conversation? Find me on Instagram! You can read my daily mini-blogs centered on the same three topics that my podcast features: creativity, courage, and curiosity. I believe that without all three it would be impossible to solve the challenges we were each uniquely made to solve. Wouldn't you agree? I'm easy to find on Instagram @melissallarena Rather keep it professional? Let's connect on LinkedIn. I encourage every single podcast listener to connect with me.

The Federal Government allocated an historic $2.3 billion for Suicide prevention and mental health in Tuesday's budget, including $79 million for the prevention of suicide amongst First Nations Australians. Suicide Prevention Australia says the government has listened to some of its recommendations, although there are still gaps in the plan.

If you listened in last week you would know this week is part 2 in our series on the Victorian Royal Commission and Mental health Reform. If you missed it, you can find it HERELast week we spoke to the wonderful Cindy Smith, the CEO of the Australian Association of Social Workers. This week we have the absolute pleasure to speak with Ingrid Ozols AM. Ingrid is an active workplace, and community, mental health and suicide prevention life experience advocate, educator, and peer support co-design and research consultant of 20 years with many other working roles within the Mental Health & Health sector. Ingrid is the founding director of Mental Health At Work and has contributed to mental health policy reform in Australia. Ingrid is currently working with Suicide Prevention Australia and has made many submissions to the Royal Commission as both an individual and as someone who works in the sector. She is here today to talk about the submissions she has made as well as her overall view of Mental Health Reform.

If you are a Facebook user in Australia, you may have woken up to a very different news feed on 18 February. And don't worry, your account was not hacked. The social media giant took the nuclear option in response to the Australian government's proposed law that would require big tech platforms like Facebook and Google to reach commercial agreements and strike revenue deals with news outlets whose content drives traffic on these platforms. And in the early hours of 18 February, Facebook actually followed through on its earlier threat that it will ban all news websites and also the option for users to share news links. But the move inadvertently also resulted banning Facebook pages of government health departments, fire and rescue, Suicide Prevention Australia, charities and somehow, Facebook's own official page as well.And this is a cause of concern because Australia is actually a few days away from a national COVID-19 vaccine rollout. However, executives at Facebook were quick to realise of this fumble and apologised for the error. But, according to Facebook, the pages of government departments will take at least a week to come back. In today's episode, we will go through why Facebook has banned news in the middle of a pandemic. Will misinformation and conspiracy theories fill the void that news outlets left and what does this step mean for other countries like India?Host and Producer: Himmat ShaligramGuest:Udhbhav Tiwari, Police Advisor at Mozilla Editor: Shelly Walia Music: Big Bang FuzzListen to The Big Story podcast on:Apple: https://apple.co/2AYdLIl Saavn: http://bit.ly/2oix78C Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/2ntMV7S Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2IyLAUQ Deezer: http://bit.ly/2Vrf5Ng Castbox: http://bit.ly/2VqZ9ur

It's that time of year again – razors are banished, Movember is in full swing, and the discussion of men's health is in the spotlight. This week's podcast guest Brendan Maher is responsible for overseeing Movember's global suite of mental health and suicide prevention programs and investments. His key focus is on ensuring the charity's work in prevention and early intervention is able to reach and engage more men in priority populations - including fathers, young men, Indigenous men and men experiencing social isolation. Joining the organisation in May 2019, he leads a passionate program team located across Melbourne, Toronto, London and Los Angeles. Brendan is also a Board Member and former CEO of R U OK? – an Australian organisation most well-known for R U OK? Day, a national day of action committed to encouraging and equipping everyone to regularly and meaningfully ask "are you ok?", of anyone who might be struggling with life. With almost 12 years' experience across Lifeline Australia, R U OK? and Movember, Brendan is a passionate advocate for suicide prevention. His contribution to the sector was recognised in 2019 with Suicide Prevention Australia's LIFE Award for Excellence in the Leadership category. On this week's podcast, Brendan joins me to talk about how he became involved with mental health and suicide prevention, his transition from the corporate sector to non for profit, and insight into his many roles, including Movember and the challenges arising from COVID.

Matt Vickers, who was married to Lecretia Seales, reacts to the preliminary results of the End of Life Choice referendum. Matthew Tukaki, Chair of the Maori Council and former Chair of Suicide Prevention Australia, reacts to the preliminary results of the End of Life Choice referendum. Dr Marta Rychert, a Senior Research Officer at the SHORE & Whariki Research Centre Massey University, joins The Panel to discuss the preliminary cannabis referendum result.

Matthew Tukaki, Chair of the Māori Council and former Chair of Suicide Prevention Australia.

If there was one thing you think society should talk more about, what would it be? “I think people can talk more about what they’re going through when life is tough; when things are hard. How can we be better at reaching out or talking to people about it.” _________ Nicolas Brown has spent most of his career in Not for Profit organisations as well as in State and Local Government. Working with young people in Australia and overseas has been the main focus for Nic and in 2015, he began work at batyr as the School Program Manager in the early stages of batyr’s growth. He moved through the ranks and took on the role of CEO in 2019 where he continues to support batyr’s growth and reach toward smashing the stigma around mental health and empowering young people to create a mentally healthy Australia. Nic’s work to date have enabled him to gain valuable experience in preventative education, mental health and suicide prevention in the areas of schools, universities and the importance of sharing lived experience stories and vulnerability. Nic has sat on advisory committees for the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health and on the Integrated Content Technical Advisory Group for the Beyond Blue National Education Initiative and he currently sits on Suicide Prevention Australia’s Policy Committee. Nic is an impressive individual - but he’s also just a really nice guy - as you’ll hear from our conversation today. He’s genuinely making a wonderful difference to our country and it was a delight to get to talk to him about things he’s passionate about. _______ Connect and find out more about Nic here;- Instagram: nic_bede Twitter: nic_bede And find out more about batyr here;- Web: https://www.batyr.com.au/ Facebook @batyraus instagram: @batyraus Twitter: @batyrAus And for more information about the Wabi Sabi Series, please find us here:- https://wabisabiseries.com/ Instagram @thewabisabiseries Facebook @thewabisabiseries If you have a burning topic you’d love society to talk more about, or know someone who’d be great to come on our podcast, drop us a line at hello@wabisabiseries.com

Each year, more than 3000 Australians end their lives— this is about 8 people a day. To prevent suicide and reduce these numbers, it's important to make sure all Australians get the support they need. One professional passionate about making a change is Mr Alan Woodward. Alan has worked in the fields of mental health, crisis support and suicide prevention for 20 years as an executive leader, service and program developer, evaluator, researcher and expert advisor to governments and peak bodies. As a Board Director for nine years and more recently as a strategic advisor on quality and innovation with Suicide Prevention Australia, Alan has significantly contributed to the national suicide prevention policy. Alan worked for Lifeline Australia in various executive roles for 14 years until 2018, including the Lifeline Research Foundation. He is a Fellow of the Australian Evaluation Society and holds a Master's Degree in Social Science and Policy, a Business Degree in Public Administration and a Diploma in Arts/Communication. Tune in this week as Alan discusses his professional journey and key achievements, including the progress being made in suicide prevention, and the proactive steps we can take to support both patients and carers.

Dawn O'Neil AM received her Order of Australia for services to the community and to Mental health. A thought leader, she is currently the Ambassador of the ‘Breathing Space Executive in Mental Health & Wellbeing Program' at Fisher Leadership. Dawn was the chair and founding member of homelessness social enterprise STREAT, where she created a legacy that has seen many young people at risk feel a deep sense of belonging and connectedness. Previously the CEO of Lifeline Australia, one of Australia's largest charities, and CEO of BeyondBlue, Dawn's extensive work in this space saw her receive the Outstanding Contribution Award from Suicide Prevention Australia in 2010. It's fantastic to have Dawn on the podcast to share her knowledge and experience.

Support the Informer Daily, Donate to JOY Today we're talking about COVID-19 and family violence with Women's Legal Service Victoria. And the CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia joins us to... LEARN MORE The post COVID-19 and family violence, and calls for a national suicide register appeared first on The Informer.

Support the Informer Daily, Donate to JOY Today we're talking about COVID-19 and family violence with Women's Legal Service Victoria. And the CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia joins us to... LEARN MORE The post COVID-19 and family violence, and calls for a national suicide register appeared first on The Informer.

The latest campaign by advocacy group, R U OK? aims to provide care-givers with the tools to recognise at-risk behaviour amongst Indigenous youth.

The latest campaign by advocacy group, R U OK? aims to provide care-givers with the tools to recognise at-risk behaviour amongst Indigenous youth.

Ryan from Spit and Polish returns from the previous episode to chat Lou Reed with Stefan. The infamous "Loutallica" record Lulu had been discussed in Episode 2 from the perspective of two Metallica fans, but was missing the voice of a real Reed fan. In addition to his role as "Lulu Defence Force", Ryan also discusses the late great Lou Reed classic, Berlin (1973).  This episode ends with a reaction to the news that AC/DC have been back in the black recording new rock n roll. Originally recorded 7th February 2019. Please note that there are some heavy themes discussed in this episode, including abuse. If you or someone you know needs support, please seek help from someone you trust, a medical professional or contact the following organisations: beyondblue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ (1300 224 636) Kids Helpline: https://kidshelpline.com.au/ (1800 551 800) Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ (13 11 14) SANE Australia: https://www.sane.org/ (1800 187 263) Suicide Prevention Australia: https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ (02) (9223 3333) Spit and Polish Presents is a movie podcast, so be sure to hit up their socials and subscribe to the show. Spotify- https://spoti.fi/2Mx6lE5 iTunes- https://apple.co/2BKjPaT Podbean- http://bit.ly/2o9BTBu GooglePlay- http://bit.ly/2NjBNlK Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/spitandpolishpresents/ Twitter- https://twitter.com/SpitPolishPre Rock Capital is the best of rock and roll culture. Each episode, your host Stefan Bradley chats with a guest about the rock news, events and releases of the week, and takes a deep dive into how music becomes part of a person. The show is recorded in Australia's rock capital, Melbourne. #RockCapital   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockCapitalPod Twitter: https://twitter.com/RockCapitalPod iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/rock-capital/id1444992565?mt=2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Vk34pqhZZcZcbypxFylat Google Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y8y4pbfy

Vanessa remembers a trip she took to Cairns more than 20 years ago. Dr. Vanessa Lee, from the Yupungathiand Meriam people, is a social epidemiologist, educator and public health/ health sciences researcher in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney. Dr. Lee is a director for Suicide Prevention Australia and she chairs the National Public Health Indigenous Leadership in Education Network, and she also holds a number of current expert advisory positions, including the National Advisory Group Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Informatics and Data, Australian Health Care Reform Alliance, and Close the Gap. She has a PhD (social epi.), MPH (epi.) and BTEC degree. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff and insomnia rants follow me - Maeve Marsden - on Twitter and Instagram.  

After presenting a keynote speech in Florida for the National Disability Matters Conference GVB (Greg Van Borssum) Mind Warrior took some time out to interview a wonderful young man Pedro Pimenta who was struck down with a form on Meningococcal which resulted in him losing all his limbs overnight. In a flash he went from being a fit young soccer player and musician to fighting for his life and then finding the strength to fight back. He has an incredible mindset and this is an interview you must hear.Support the show (https://www.lifeline.org.au/support-lifeline/donate/make-a-single-donation)

In this episode GVB sits down with US Border Patrol officer and World Champion Pistol Shooter Rob Vadasz to discuss Mental health, Suicide Prevention and how to maintain a champions mindset. Both these men are champions of their chosen sports and the importance of the mind and how you keep mentally healthy are fundamental in achieving your goals and in living a fulfilling life.Support the show (https://www.lifeline.org.au/support-lifeline/donate/make-a-single-donation)

Running time 9.42 On 23 July 2018, at Suicide Prevention Australia’s National Suicide Prevention Conference, Chief Executive Nieves Murray launched a paper that challenges Australia’s view of the role of mental illness when it comes to suicide prevention. Listen to our interview with SANE Australia's Head of Programs, Sarah Coker, on why this Paper is important and what it means for all of us. More on the Paper below and [on the SPA website](https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/news/media-release-new-discussion-paper-challenges-australia%E2%80%99s-views-role-mental-illness-and-suicide). Research shows people living with complex mental illness are 13-45 times more likely to take their own life their own life than those living without mental illness. For people living with: * Borderline personality disorder the risk is 45 times greater * Anorexia nervosa the risk is 31 times greater * Major depressive disorder the risk is 20 times greater * Bipolar disorder is 17 times greater * Schizophrenia the risk is 13 times greater Ms Murray calls for government, business and community to play their part in the delivering the change that is recommended to prevent suicide of those living with mental illness. “To support more people with mental illness to live longer lives, we must implement prevention strategies focused on increasing mental health literacy, reducing stigma and increasing access to care. We must implement system level improvements that integrate mental health and suicide prevention planning. We must invest in improved education, training and resourcing for those in health and social support roles. We must invest in strategic research and evaluation to better understand suicide and its prevention.” Suicide Prevention partnered with SANE Australia to develop this paper in conjunction with a panel of people with personal and professional expertise. SANE Australia General Manager of Research, Policy and Programs Dr Michelle Blanchard, who co-authored the report, says suicide is a complex issue and mental health services have a crucial role to play in helping address the associated risks. “Given what we know about this higher risk of suicide for those living with mental illness, it’s vital suicide prevention strategies aim to grow mental health literacy, reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, promote access to evidence-based care and are developed in collaboration with people who have experience living with mental illness. We also know certain social and environmental factors that can exacerbate mental illness can also play a role in suicide including trauma, discrimination, social isolation, unemployment or homelessness.” SANE Australia ambassador Terri Warner lives with bipolar disorder and has attempted to take her own life requiring emergency medical intervention. “Before I attempted suicide, I felt overwhelmed. I couldn’t see a way out and found myself in an intolerable moment that I didn’t think would end, but that I desperately wanted to be over. I had exhausted what I thought were all of the possibilities and was so trapped by what I was thinking and feeling that I couldn’t reason, problem solve or find any resemblance of hope that there was a way forward,” Ms Warner said. “I believe it’s important mental health professionals work with each individual to help manage those kinds of feelings, as what works for one person won’t work for everyone. It took me a long time to realise the strategies that work for me. It’s time we thought outside the box in our approach to suicide prevention and listen to, rather than challenge, people who have attempted suicide.” #NSPC18 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 Prevention Australia is pleased to advise that the National Suicide Prevention Research Fund is today opening applications for PhD scholarships. There are six scholarships being offered each valued at $105,000 over three years. **Applications open Monday 25th June and close 3rd August 2018.** [Please read and share the application information on our website.](https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/higher-degree-research-scholarships) The aim of the scholarship program is to support outstanding graduates early in their research career to be trained to conduct research that is relevant to all aspects of suicide prevention, is internationally competitive and will assist in developing a capacity for original independent research within Australia. Review the Guidelines for Scholarships to determine eligibility, funding and the criteria for assessment. There will be up to six scholarships offered to researchers in the 2018. Three of these will be funded directly through the National Suicide Prevention Research Fund. Up to three additional scholarships will be funded by SPA partners supporting research into suicide and its prevention An important note is that the partner scholarships have some specific areas of interest: • Regional Australia Bank is seeking a candidate studying at a regional university who is seeking to better understand suicide in rural and regional communities • Anytime Fitness Australia has a specific interest in candidates who are exploring links between physical activity and its role in suicide prevention. We are encouraging applications from those who are working fulltime in the sector and simultaneously completing their PhD. In support of these individuals we will be offering flexible funding options through this program. #SuicidePrevention #ManyVoicesOneGoal

Audio of a video message from Suicide Prevention Australia Chair Matthew Tukaki. He has some important news to share with you about our organisation. This includes the search for a new Chief Executive Officer and our announcement appointing a new Research Fund Director to take charge of the new National Research Fund administered by Suicide Prevention Australia on behalf of the Australia Government.  TRANSCRIPT:  Hello friends The Suicide Prevention Australia team has come into the new year with a lot to do and a shared passion and energy to work with our Members and colleagues to support more Australians to live.  Today, as SPA Chair, I have some exciting news to share with you. As you may know, SPA’s functions have expanded in the past 12 months with Government and organisation investment in Australia’s first National Research Fund dedicated to suicide prevention and an online Best Practice Hub. This is a huge piece of work that needs to be managed alongside the existing work we do for our Members. To support this, we have revised the role of CEO and introduced a new role of Research Fund Director, for which we undertook an extensive recruitment process. I am delighted to announce that the person who introduced the concept of the dedicated suicide prevention research fund and led the campaign to get it funded, will continue to be a driving force for the fund. Congratulations to Sue Murray, our new Research Fund Director. We are delighted that Sue has accepted this exciting new role, but it does mean we had to accept her resignation as CEO. To ensure stability and service as we go through the recruitment process Deputy CEO Kim Borrowdale, known to many of you in her four years working for SPA has agreed to take on the Acting CEO role with ongoing support from Sue. The SPA Board is confident these transition arrangements will ensure leadership continuity and operational consistency for our Members and stakeholders. So, what now? SPA will be business as usual as we commence the search for an ambitious, innovative, strategic leader to join our team as Chief Executive Officer. Let me know if you or someone you know would like to throw their hat in the ring for SPA CEO. As with every top job in this sector, the role will come with its challenges but the contribution the CEO makes, as we’ve seen with Sue and those before her at SPA, is invaluable. Thank you as always for your support. [View and share the CEO Job Advertisement](https://probonoaustralia.com.au/jobs/2018/02/chief-executive-officer-149/) Matthew Tukaki, Chair Chair , Suicide Prevention Australia  Email: chair@suicidepreventionaust.org

2017 marks 25 years of Suicide Prevention Australia in operation. We spoke with Professor Hickie about achievements and challenges he has seen in that time when it comes to suicide prevention Australia. Thank you Ian for sharing your time and insights in this interview and in all your years working alongside SPA Board, Members and Staff. It is so important to talk openly and safely about suicide but, if watching this video brings up 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 more services and support visit www.suicidepreventionaust.org and click on Get Help. #25yearsofSPA #SuicidePrevention #ManyVoicesOneGoal

Trent is a youth worker in Broome (WA), a headspace National Youth Mentor, a suicide attempt survivor, a gifted artist, a member of Suicide Prevention Australia’s National Lived Experience Network and a young person who has been through the toughest of times but still holds an immense amount of hope for the future. “There is a war raging in many young minds right now and it wasn’t until I started fighting my own mental health battles that I realised how awful this war really can get. If I could tell a young person one thing, it’s that I’ve learned a lot about what it really means to be tough. It isn't about how many dangerous situations you put yourself in. It's about fighting through the trials life throws at you. It's not about acting like you're invincible; it's about being brave enough to ask for help when you need it. If I’d reached out earlier, decided that help was possible and gone to get help sooner, a lot of my pain could have been prevented. As individuals we need to get to know ourselves better and understand what the signs may be that we’re not coping before it gets to crisis point. In the future, I want anyone who reaches out for help for themselves or someone they know, to be able to get that help when and where they need it. I want there to be compassion in how we treat each other and less self stigma in how we treat ourselves. I tell the young people I work with that they have the purpose and potential to achieve well beyond their wildest dreams. I believe these, often forgotten youth, have more potential than most and their pasts have developed them to a level of unique resilience. If they are given the opportunity they can literally change the world. I believe this is also true for suicide prevention in this country. We have a shared purpose of supporting more Australians to live. We have seen so much change in the past 25 years and have learned so much about what needs to happen in suicide prevention. We have the potential to change the world over the next 25 years. While ever we have hope, we have a future that can be better than today. Together, we can do this.” #25yearsofSPA #livedexp #hope #resilience #suicideprevention #ManyVoicesOneGoal 24/7 crisis support information Lifeline 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 MensLine 1300 78 99 78 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Qlife 1800 184 527 For a comprehensive list of support available to you in Australia, visit www.suicidepreventionaust.org and click on the Get Help button.

PHOTO: World Suicide Prevention Day campaign 2013 (SPA CEO Sue Murray front centre with megaphone) In 1992, venerable suicide prevention advocate Alan Staines returned from an international conference with an ambitious plan to establish Australia’s first national voice for suicide and suicide prevention. His passion won over clinicians and advocates alike and Suicide Prevention Australia was born. From the start, Suicide Prevention Australia had some lofty goals. Their purpose was a world without suicide and they aimed to tackle the issue through leadership, collaboration, education and advocacy. Today, Suicide Prevention Australia is a peak body that represents more than 80 members and hundreds of associate members nationally, as well as holding productive partnerships with individuals and organisations across the world. As an organisation, we have directly influenced how suicide is perceived by the community and our relationships with all levels of government have increased investment and driven improved policy. We foster collaboration and shared experience through our National Suicide Prevention Conference and recognise those who have made a difference through our LiFE Awards. The establishment of the first national Lived Experience Network in 2013 led to significant improvements in how those with personal experience of suicide engaged with clinicians, researchers and policy makers. We believe that the best suicide prevention involves the integration of lived experience, scientific evidence and clinical best practice. To this end, we led a sector-wide process to develop the first national suicide research strategy and have created new partnerships to improve data collection and service evaluation. In 2017, the hard work and national advocacy of our membership paid off with suicide prevention becoming one of the key pillars of the 5th National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. Acknowledging the potential held by our researchers, the Commonwealth Government and Suicide Prevention Australia has established the first National Suicide Prevention Research Fund. Of course, these achievements have come about from the hard work of many. As the current CEO, I am so very grateful for vision of my predecessors. I cannot possibly name everyone but I would like to especially acknowledge our Founder Alan Staines and the group of those he called upon to join him in the early days including Professor Brent Walters, Dr John Howard, , Dr Michael Dudley, Professor Martin Harris, , Professor Ian Webster AO, Professor Bob Goldney, Sheila Clark, Jonine Penrose-Wall, Mercy Baird, Professor Graham Martin AO, Tony Humphrey, Paul Moulds, Wayne Magee – and so many others who have contributed to the leadership of SPA since day one. We could not have made the impact we have without the passion and dedication of our staff and volunteers, and I would like to especially thank all of the past and present staff for their dedication and commitment to communities across Australia. Finally, I would like emphasise that Suicide Prevention Australia would not exist without our Organisation Members and Associate Members. Their collaborative spirit and collective insight has enabled this tidal wave of change. Twenty five years down the line and Suicide Prevention Australia still stands for same principles and purpose. Every suicide is a tragedy and the impact is felt across families, workplaces and whole communities. #25yearsofSPA #CommunitiesMatter #suicideprevention #ManyVoicesOneGoal 24/7 crisis support information Lifeline 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 MensLine 1300 78 99 78 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Qlife 1800 184 527 For a comprehensive list of support available to you in Australia, visit www.suicidepreventionaust.org and click on the Get Help button.

We are pleased to announce that Matthew Tukaki has been elected as Suicide Prevention Australia Chair following Murray Bleach's decision to step down. Matthew shared this short video message about the appointment earlier today. Transcript listed below. "Friends; Big news to share today. Yesterday my fellow Suicide Prevention Australia Directors elected me as Chair. I am humbled by their vote of confidence. Thank you to Murray Muz Bleach for all he has done for the organisation since 2011. It will be tough to step into your shoes but I am excited to step up into the role after six years serving on the SPA Board. In my time with SPA I have seen immense change in this sector and how SPA operates as a Member organisation. I am passionate about SPA Membership better reflecting the diverse needs of Australians. I want to see greater representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, regional and remote communities and the increasing role our members can play when it comes to the diversity of our workplaces and businesses. Now is the time to remain committed to ongoing reform. Now is the time to be bold in seeking out new ways of working and creating environments through which innovation can thrive Now is the time to deepen our resolve to work collaboratively, identifying the linkages between social and economic factors, the communities and environments in which we live. As you know, suicide prevention is very personal to me, as it is to so many of you. I feel that the pain but most of all I am motivated by the hope and resilience shown by the Australians I meet each day. Thank you for your ongoing support for SPA and everything we do with our Members to support more Australians to live. and a significant amount of thanks to Jackie Crowe Mike King and Mark Spinks" Approved by Suicide Prevention Australia https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org... 24/7 crisis support information Lifeline 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 MensLine 1300 78 99 78 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Qlife 1800 184 527 #ManyVoicesOneGoal #suicideprevention #livedexp

Greg Van Borssum, a carpenter by trade, has the most incredible mindset of anyone I have ever met. Everything else he has achieved is self taught. He demonstrates that you can literally acheive anything you set your mind to. Greg is a Hollywood filmmaker, 2nd unit director of Happy Feet 1 & 2, Fight Choreographer and Weapons Specialist on the Academy Award Winning Mad Max Fury Road. Greg is also, a Mr Australia Bodybuilding Champion, World Pistol Shooting Champion, award winning filmmaker and international martial artist. Mental health advocate, ambassador and speaker for Lifeline, Suicide Prevention Australia and Mates In Construction. In this podcast episode he speaks very candidly and from the heart about how he sees opportunities everywhere and makes the most of what he has, including digital tools to create the life he wants. Website: gvbmindwarriors.com.au/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GVB.wayofthewarrior/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gvb_mindwarriors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPTo6YXwd-6VoTPI5A9lBcA 

Pictured: Gus Worland, Kim Borrowdale and Hunter Johnson Beat the Breakdown Spring Ball #beatthebreakdown #suicideprevention 1 September 2017, Sydney Thanks Gus. As Gus mentioned, I work for Suicide Prevention Australia, the peak body for suicide prevention in this country. We bring together not for profits, business, Government and community to work together on the complex and very individual challenge of suicide. One of our Member Organisations is Lifeline Australia, who are extremely grateful for your support this evening. I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge all of you in the room tonight with personal experience of suicide and the pain it brings to our lives. We are united by those experiences as well as by our hope for a better future. It will probably come as no surprise to you that I came to work in this space after my family was impacted by suicide. Before it touched our lives, I didn't personally know anyone who had killed themselves. I didn't know anyone who had tried to end their life and had no idea that so many people live with regular thoughts of suicide. Like me, before my aunt died by suicide, you may not be aware of the magnitude of people affected by suicide in this country. In the last official data release, we learnt that 3,027 people killed themselves in Australia during 2015. That is more than TWICE the national road toll. Think about that for a minute. Think about all the investment, campaigning and conversation we have about road safety; about how to take care on the roads. Think about how much we report those devastating yet mostly preventable deaths. More than double that number of people are dying by suicide each year. Each one of these 3,027 deaths was someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, workmate, someone’s friend. Added to this are the hundreds of thousands of people who attempt suicide, plan to kill themselves or think about suicide each year. But, there is good news. Research tells us that suicide is mostly preventable. As someone who is bereaved by suicide, that is an extremely hard but also reassuring message to hear. Through my work at Suicide Prevention Australia we are honoured to learn from suicide attempt survivors as part of our national Lived Experience Network. Many attempt survivors have told us that they didn't want to die, they wanted the pain to go away. Every time I hear that, I find it equal parts heart-wrenching and hopeful. It says to me that if we can find a way to talk about that pain, to stop that pain from being so unbearable for people, then we can support more people to live. I could talk for hours about lessons I have learned from people we work with and the work our Members are doing to prevent suicide. But, what I’d like to talk about tonight is three suicide myths that I'd like your help to bust. Myth 1: If I’m worried about someone, and I ask them if they are thinking about suicide, that will put the idea in their head Evidence tells us that this is absolutely not the case. If you are worried about someone and think they are at risk of suicide, ask them. Ask them directly. Have you been having thoughts of suicide? Are you thinking about killing yourself? You are not going to put the idea in their head. Asking the question is tough and uncomfortable but wouldn’t you rather the discomfort or anger and the person still be alive? If you are worried, ask. Myth 2: All people who kill themselves or think about suicide have a mental illness Yes, people who try to kill themselves are undoubtedly experiencing mental distress at that time - but research tells us that suicide is not always thought about and acted upon by someone with a mental illness. In fact, all sorts of emotional and social pressures can contribute to someone choosing to take their own life. It could be about a relationship breakdown, financial pressures, work stress, chronic pain or injury. It could be many of those things combined that is weighing ...

Dr Michael Dudley AM is a Senior Staff Specialist in Psychiatry with Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital Adolescent Service and Conjoint Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry, University of New South Wales. He primarily works as a clinician to young people, families and parents in an adolescent mental health service. As a conjoint academic, he is involved in teaching suicide prevention and youth mental health to medical students at UNSW, and serves on various boards and committees. He maintains interests in rural and Indigenous suicide and mental health issues, ethics, and the role of religion/spirituality and mental health in contemporary culture. In 2011 Michael became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for work in child and adolescent mental health and a range of professional associations and has been acknowledged by the NSW Health Department’s Better Health Awards, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry and ReachOut.com. This has included specific recognition for his work on gun control as well as his extensive experience working with youth, Indigenous people, and refugees who are at risk of suicide and self harm. He is a reviewer for the Medical Journal of Australia; the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry; Australasian Psychiatry; Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. His memberships have included the Australian Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee (ASPAC), the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Mental Health Advisory Sub-Group and the New South Wales Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee. In 1992 he became a founding Director of Suicide Prevention Australia and was the Chair of the organisation between 2000 and 2015. Under his leadership SPA widened its responsibilities and established its role as the peak body for all organisations and individuals working in suicide prevention. In the last decade, he has been author or co-author on over 40 publications. It is impossible to calculate the value of his research and teachings to the suicide prevention field in Australia. We are honoured to present a LiFEtime Achievement Award to Michael Dudley.

Media Release Transcript Australia, 20 June 2017: At a meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Suicide Prevention today, Minister for Health The Hon. Greg Hunt MP announced Suicide Prevention Australia as lead agency for a new national Suicide Prevention Research Fund. The $12m Fund was promised in the Federal Election campaign following calls from Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) and its members for increased, dedicated investment in suicide prevention research. In commenting on the announcement, Suicide Prevention Australia CEO, Sue Murray, said that “We are proud to be named the independent leadership body tasked with facilitating a research environment that improves the way we map gaps in current knowledge and strengthen Australia’s research capability.” “Prioritising research and establishing pathways to move research findings into policy and practice, in a timely manner, is integral to achieving a downward trajectory in suicides. This concept, in other health areas such as breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes has clearly demonstrated the power of coordinated research in Australia.” “We will work with our members, lived experience representatives and those with research interests to ensure that the research is strategically targeted to nationally agreed priorities.” National Coalition for Suicide Prevention Chair, Matthew Tukaki, agrees and says “With mental health and suicide prevention reform a priority, we are seeing movement in the right direction in terms of practice, based on collaboration, with a solid evidence base. This is complementary to regionally based planning and innovative population based trials. Making change in our research settings to ensure we also efficiently direct those efforts is another logical step change in suicide prevention.” About the Suicide Prevention Research Fund (SPRF) • Suicide Prevention Australia has long advocated for an independent research plan, as set out in the National Research Action Plan. This Plan was developed through a series of workshops with SPA members, lived experience representatives, researchers, service providers, policy makers, funders and community leaders. • The fund announced today will comprise a Commonwealth contribution (initially $12 million over four years). • As fund manager, SPA will build strategic partnerships across the suicide prevention including Primary Health Networks, private, philanthropic and community organisations, academic institutions and governments. Such partnerships are crucial to supporting a national approach to reducing the impact of suicide on individuals and Australian families. • Suicide Prevention Australia will invite contributions from the corporate sector, philanthropic and community organisations as well as individual donations. • Suicide Prevention Australia will work with their Lived Experience Network, the NHMRC for scientific peer-review of applications, and work in partnership with other recipients of leadership funding including the University of Melbourne and UWA Centre for Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention. • Grant distribution will be administered by SPA with the support of clinical and scientific advisory committees which will guide and assist in determining research priorities. Applications for 2018 grants will open later in 2017. Suicide Prevention Australia has also been tasked with developing a Best Practice Hub, an online resource to facilitate knowledge sharing of the best available evidence on which to base the development of suicide prevention programs and services. The Best Practice Hub will be a user-friendly online tool of evidence-based suicide prevention resources that will support and inform PHNs and other providers involved in the regional approach to service planning and commissioning of suicide prevention activities. Media Contact: Kim Borrowdale 02 9262 1130 kimb@suicidepreventionaust.org A...

On 27/28 February 2017 Suicide Prevention Australia co hosted the 3rd International Zero Suicide Summit as part of the 2017 International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) Leadership Exchange in Sydney. The Summit has become a regular part of the IIMHL program. Leading experts in healthcare and suicide prevention sought to progress the ‘Zero Suicide’ initiative, targeting suicide prevention and behavioural health care systems where a cooperative system wide engagement seeks to achieve a target of zero suicides in the health care system (inspired by the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit). Suicide Prevention Australia is specifically looking at what Zero Suicide in HealthCare implementation looks like if rolled out on a wider scale in Australia. Seventy delegates representing 15 countries attended the match. Guest speakers include Dr Michael Hogan, David Covington, Kevin Hines, Jan Mokkenstorm, David Jobes and Virna Little. The summit agenda focused on introducing the zero suicide mission and approach and lessons learned thus far, then built the discussion around the following modules - Clinical pathways, Engaging peer supports, Research and evaluation. This is an audio recording of a presentation that was undertaken on day one of the summit. Find out more about the zero suicide in healthcare Match and movement here https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/events/zero-suicide-healthcare-international-declaration-local-action

On 27/28 February 2017 Suicide Prevention Australia co hosted the 3rd International Zero Suicide Summit as part of the 2017 International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) Leadership Exchange in Sydney. The Summit has become a regular part of the IIMHL program. Leading experts in healthcare and suicide prevention sought to progress the ‘Zero Suicide’ initiative, targeting suicide prevention and behavioural health care systems where a cooperative system wide engagement seeks to achieve a target of zero suicides in the health care system (inspired by the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit). Suicide Prevention Australia is specifically looking at what Zero Suicide in HealthCare implementation looks like if rolled out on a wider scale in Australia. Seventy delegates representing 15 countries attended the match. Guest speakers include Dr Michael Hogan, David Covington, Kevin Hines, Jan Mokkenstorm, David Jobes and Virna Little. The summit agenda focused on introducing the zero suicide mission and approach and lessons learned thus far, then built the discussion around the following modules - Clinical pathways, Engaging peer supports, Research and evaluation. This is an audio recording from day one of the Summit. Find out more about the zero suicide in healthcare Match and movement here https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/events/zero-suicide-healthcare-international-declaration-local-action

On 27/28 February 2017 Suicide Prevention Australia co hosted the 3rd International Zero Suicide Summit as part of the 2017 International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) Leadership Exchange in Sydney. The Summit has become a regular part of the IIMHL program. Leading experts in healthcare and suicide prevention sought to progress the ‘Zero Suicide’ initiative, targeting suicide prevention and behavioural health care systems where a cooperative system wide engagement seeks to achieve a target of zero suicides in the health care system (inspired by the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit). Suicide Prevention Australia is specifically looking at what Zero Suicide in HealthCare implementation looks like if rolled out on a wider scale in Australia. Seventy delegates representing 15 countries attended the match. Guest speakers include Dr Michael Hogan, David Covington, Kevin Hines, Jan Mokkenstorm, David Jobes and Virna Little. The summit agenda focused on introducing the zero suicide mission and approach and lessons learned thus far, then built the discussion around the following modules - Clinical pathways, Engaging peer supports, Research and evaluation. This is an audio recording of an interview that was undertaken on day one of the summit. Find out more about the zero suicide in healthcare Match and movement here https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/events/zero-suicide-healthcare-international-declaration-local-action

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 visit our useful contacts page to see a more comprehensive list of services available to you https://communitiesmatter.suicidepreventionaust.org/content/useful-contacts #livedexp #suicideprevention #ManyVoicesOneGoal

Why do Indigenous people kill themselves in such numbers? What do we know about suicide that can help us understand this? Can we overcome the tragedy of young people dying in a suicide epidemic? Jesse Bering is an award-winning science writer. His "Bering in Mind" column at Scientific American was a 2010 Webby Award Honoree. Bering's first book, The Belief Instinct (2011), was included on the American Library Association's Top 25 Books of the Year. This was followed by a collection of essays--the critically acclaimed Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That? (2012), and Perv (2013), a New York Times Editor's Choice. All three books have been translated into many different languages. An expert in psychology and religion, he began his career at the University of Arkansas, as an Assistant Professor of Psychology from 2002-2006. He then served as the Director of the Institute of Cognition and Culture at the Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he was a Reader in the School of History and Anthropology until 2011. Presently, he is Associate Professor of Science Communication at the University of Otago, New Zealand. His next book, on the science of suicidology, will be released in 2017. Vanessa Lee, from the Wik and Meriam Nations, resides on the land of the Gadigal people. She is a social epidemiologist, educator, writer and public health/ health sciences researcher in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney. Her area of expertise is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service delivery. Vanessa was the first National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Vice President of the Public Health Association of Australia for a period of four years where she contributed to significant changes in policies for Indigenous people. She is a director on the board for Suicide Prevention Australia.  Dr Lee chairs the Public Health Indigenous Leaders in Education Network and is on the executive board of the Australian Health Care Reform Alliance. She holds expert advisory positions with Close the Gap Steering Committee, the International Group of Indigenous Health Measurement and the Sydney Centre of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics. All of the research, engagement and curriculum development that Vanessa is involved in are directed towards the overarching goal of improving the determinants of health, efficacy and linkages of services for better health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Sheila Watt-Cloutier currently resides in Iqaluit, Nunavut. She was born in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik (northern Quebec), and was raised traditionally in her early years before attending school in southern Canada and in Manitoba. Ms. Watt-Cloutier was an elected political spokesperson for Inuit for over a decade. She is the past Chair of Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), the organization that represents internationally the 155,000 Inuit of Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and Chukotka in the Far East of the Federation of Russia and was previously the President of ICC Canada. During the past several years, Ms. Watt-Cloutier has worked through the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to defend Inuit human rights against the impacts of climate change. She has received many awards in recognition of her work. In November, 2015 she was one of 4 Laureates to receive “The Right Livelihood Award” considered the Nobel Alternative, awarded in the Parliament of Sweden. Her recently published book The Right To Be Cold has been shortlisted for the B.C. National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction, the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for political writing and the Cobo emerging writer prize.

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 Service 1300 659 467 or Kids Helpline 1800 551800 FREE

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 LifeForce Memorial Service at the Sydney Opera House. As part of the Memorial Service we are provided time to reflect on our own lived experience and the memories of those we love and have lost to suicide. I placed my sunflower in the harbour and as I returned my seat for the closing of the service I was struck by just how much I personal had to remember and reflect on. Several dates and faces flashed through my mind. I thought about Saturday 9 July when I received a call late at home in Sydney late at night and to learn that my mother had died. I had been saying goodbye for years; she was living with early onset Alzheimers, but still, I cried and cried. I was thankful I had been with her in March 2016 this year as well as 1 to 2 times every year since her diagnosis in 2012. I booked my flight to my hometown of Austin Texas and proceeded to create, with the love and support of family, a service that truly honoured who she was to me, and very importantly, to so many other people. I accepted the role of Executor and continue to carry out this role. Just a few short weeks after the burial of my mother, a sweet and very special school friend took her own life. Only I didn’t know. I learned of her death on the day I landed back in Sydney in late August. The day of her funeral a group of my school friends who were able to attend posted a photo. I wasn’t there, I was at work and my wonderful colleagues supported me in my grief. But this friend was not the first school friend to die by suicide. Many years ago (I won’t get specific or I will age myself!) I had attended a class reunion and learned that one of our classmates had died. At the time I didn’t know he had taken his own life. It was actually not until I started working at Suicide Prevention Australia that I learnt that he had taken his own life. People will share these intimate details when you work in the suicide prevention sector. At the reunion we had a moment of silence and I mourned his death without knowing he had taken his own life – how much that weighed on my mind after finally finding out the true story of his death. It is so difficult to explain the different ways the grief impacts you, and the pain that suicide brings. What I can try to explain is the story of suicide that is closest to my heart and involves my dearest family. My beautiful, talented artistic cousin, who is a mere 39 days younger than me, has been going through a very tough time. We grew up together: same church, same schools, we even rented a house together as young adults – the parties we had in that house! Her story is complex and stretches over many years. I knew she and her family were having financial troubles and I now know there was (and is) so much more going on. Late last year, when I was in Texas visiting my mother, my ‘sis’ (we call each other sister even though we’re cousins as both of us only have one sibling, an older brother) confided in me that sh...

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 Mindframe to build a community that knows how to report on and speak about suicide in a safe way. Thinking about what my Mindframe colleagues have achieved over the past 18 years made me think about where I was 18 years ago. Hard to believe with this youthful demeanour I know, but 18 years ago I was a ambitious 22 year old working in a national Australian law firm. It was a time of huge change for technology. We were moving from mountains of paper files to a very confusing concept called document management. The IT team was tasked with working with the lawyers to make the transition, something that went very poorly from the start. I didn’t work in communications at that time, I was a lowly research assistant, looking up cases and spending hours in the photocopy room. But I remember a clear moment in that job where there was a step change, where I moved to being a communications professional. I was sitting in a meeting with a room full of lawyers listening to a presentation by the IT Director about the incoming technology and what it would mean for the way we work. The lawyers were huffing and puffing, crying time poor, looking at their watches, probably checking their pagers. OK, maybe I’m not that ancient but you know what I mean. The IT Director was fighting a losing battle, looking a little flushed and started stumbling over an answer to quite an aggressive question from the floor. Now I was raised by two teachers who encouraged us to speak our mind and reinforced the concept that there are no stupid questions, so just go ahead and ask. This must have been front of mind for me that day because in the middle of this room of very senior people I put up my hand. I couldn’t stand them misunderstanding each other any longer. I had to jump in. My communications career all started with a simple phrase that I find myself using over and over to this day “I think what he’s trying to say is…” From that moment on I become a translator. I was recruited to accompany the IT Director on a national roadshow to explain document management to legal teams across the country. It sounds dull but it was actually quite fun. It was boom time in the business world. Never a better time to be a 22 year travelling around Australia on a five star translation tour. When I was bored of working with lawyers, I took off to London to see the world. I ended up working there for ten years and studying to get a Masters qualification. Nice to have the piece of paper validating what I’d been doing by instinct for so long. In London I worked for several years for the UK Department for international development, the British equivalent of Ausaid. They were working on a huge technology inspired change project, introducing new HR and IT systems and processes across all of the offices, 40 of them in developing countries. Now this is where the job title change communications really undersold what needed to happe...

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 Commission Review. SPA CEO Sue Murray says of the announcement, "The sector has been calling for suicide prevention to be a nationally coordinated public health priority above and beyond party promises. With suicide taking the lives of more than double the number of Australians dying on our roads, we are pleased to see the amount pledged today is almost double existing funds for this national emergency.” “Whichever party comes into office next month they must play their part in reducing suicides by half in ten years. They must all do everything we can to support Australians to live." Carer and long-time lived experience advocate Jen Coulls welcomes the announcement and calls for the voice of those with first hand expertise to continue to be heard, "We cannot afford to lose more lives. We must make sure that this long awaited investment delivers the change that is needed.” “We have clear first steps for change. No more reviews. Implementation plans must draw on our personal experiences of what is needed to support our most vulnerable. Thousands of lives depend on every party putting their money where their mouth is." As Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten MP said in his speech, " We must offer help and hope." Download the Suicide Prevention Australia 2016 Election Manifesto at https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/projects/federal-election-2016 Media Contact: Kim Borrowdale kimb@suicidepreventionaust.org #suicideprevention #livedexp #auspol #ausvotes

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. Never has this been more true than at The Alliance of Suicide Prevention Charities (TASC) quarterly meeting I attended last week. I was honoured to be invited to attend this meeting in central London to learn more about the group’s history, current work and future objectives. I was also invited to share Australian successes and challenges in suicide prevention and talk through Suicide Prevention Australia projects and our members’ work. The Alliance of Suicide Prevention Charities (TASC) is an alliance of the leading charities dealing with suicide prevention and mental health issues. On their website, they state that “TASC believes that, while not every suicide is preventable, many of the thousands that occur each year could have been prevented, had the appropriate help and resources been available. The stigma & taboo surrounding mental health and suicide mean that, all too often, suicide is seen as an inevitable consequence of a particular weakness inherent in the individual. We know that this isn’t the case. Frequently, our healthcare and social checks fail those clearly in need or asking for help. We believe that suicide is a serious health issue, and, more broadly, that mental health should be given the same emphasis as physical health.” TASC came together as an initiative to encourage collaboration and prevent duplication of efforts and funding in the area of suicide research and prevention. It was set up in November 2010 and holds quarterly meetings to discuss common goals, current research and future actions. The aims of this group are: To share and provide information To collaborate on effective interventions To influence policy makers and the media. You can read more about the TASC on their website. For now, let me share a few things that stood out for me in the meeting: “The head and the heart must work together” At either end of the meeting table were two individuals that, for me, really put this statement into perspective. At one end of the table sat a gentleman who had lost his son to suicide, a bereaved father passionate about making real change to how those in crisis and in immediate danger of suicide are supported to live. I could feel his pain, frustration and absolute determination in every word he spoke, a mix of drive and emotion shown by many of those at the TASC meeting who have been touched by suicide. At the other end of the table sat a representative from British Transport Police, an officer there to update us on the work being done at rail stations in particular to prevent suicides and care for all those impacted by suicide, from those at risk to their loved ones, as well as rail employees. This was, in part, quite similar to the work in Australia done by our friends at TrackSafe in partnership with R U OK? The care and compassion with which she spoke was so impressive, as were the changes they have been making in the workplace to prevent suicide and suppo...