Lifeline South East is set to Shine a Light on suicide stigmas this World Suicide Prevention Day and let people in the Limestone Coast know that someone is there around the clock to provide connection and support, no matter the reason.
Today Lifeline has launched this year’s ‘Out of the Shadows’ campaign – including a new platform to shine a light on the issues that many find difficult to talk about.
The Out of The Shadows campaign will be supported by local advocates, ambassadors and the public, who will be invited and encouraged to participate in an event, share experiences and seek help.
Lifeline CEO Leah Griffin encouraged everyone to get involved.
“This is all about reducing self-stigma amongst those who experience mental ill-health and those who support them as well as reducing public stigma by changing attitudes and behaviours in the general community,” she said.
The leading suicide prevention charity is encouraging people all over the country to get involved on Saturday 10 September by posting a selfie across their social channels with their flash on, tagging #ShineALight and linking to outoftheshadows.org.au.
Lifeline has never been needed more, with over 3000 calls received each day.
Since the COVID-19 health pandemic hit Australia in early 2020, Lifeline has experienced a 44 per cent growth in service demand.
Lifeline Australia CEO Colin Seery said nine people take their own lives each day in Australia.
“Our hope is that by shining a light this World Suicide Prevention Day, we can help start more conversations by tackling preconceptions, myths and clichés head on.”
Ms Griffin called on the Limestone Coast community to join the local Out of the Shadows event on September 10 to honour those lost to suicide, bringing their memory into the light and removing the stigma surrounding suicide.
Lifeline South East is supported by The Rotary Club of Mount Gambier who will be hosting the community breakfast and the Mount Gambier City Council.
Help is available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or go to lifeline.org.au
