Charlotte Varcoe
SUICIDE awareness will have the community putting one foot in front of the other with Lifeline’s annual Out of the Shadows event underway.
The national event aims to bring people together from near and far who had been affected by suicide.
Held at the Mount Gambier Railway Lands, those affected by suicide will meet together, do a short reflection and a minute of silence followed by a breakfast sponsored by the Lakes Rotary Club Mount Gambier.
Attendees will then have the opportunity to participate in a walk of their choice.
Lifeline South East chief executive officer Leah Griffin said the initiative aimed to bring the topic of suicide out of the darkness and into the light while trying to raise awareness.
“It is about getting people to have those conversations and not feel they cannot connect with people and talk about suicide,” Ms Griffin said.
“It is important for the community to realise that suicide is actually a community response so everyone has a part to play in having those conversations and bringing it into the light.”
She said the message that it was okay not to feel okay and asking for help was becoming more prevalent in the community with more people willing to talk.
“There is more awareness being raised and these sorts of events is in order to promote suicide awareness but it is also a chance for the community to come and connect together for people that may have been bereaved by suicide themselves,” Ms Griffin said.
“It is just to let them know they are not alone and there is a community of support for those people.”
She said there was also a lot of help-seeking and messaging around getting people to know it was okay to ask for help, stating Lifeline was busier than ever.
“It is fantastic that people are actually taking us up on our offer of help,” she said.
“It is just a matter of people knowing what is out there, where they can seek help and actually getting them to go and do it.”
Ms Griffin said people did not need to be a professional to have delicate conversations with friends and family, stating many people were worried they may say the wrong thing or make the situation worse.
“Just have the confidence to check in with people, ask them if they are okay and if they are not, sit with them and connect them to the relevant services because there is a lot of support available, it is just a matter of accessing the services,” she said.
Also participating in the walk was Sarah McInerney who will walk in Millicent on the day in memory of her cousin.
“I lost my cousin to suicide four years ago and from our family it has taken us that long to feel comfortable or confident to do something,” Ms McInerney said.
“My family is gathering all together in Millicent and walking nine kilometres together but also just trying to spread that awareness through our connection that it is okay to reach out and get help when you are struggling.”
Ms McInerney believed there were still gaps in the mental health support system across the region, particularly in Millicent.
“Here in Mount Gambier I think mental health services are great in navigating through to a service but there does not seem to be limited long-term services that vulnerable people can access for a reasonable price,” she said.
“I think the event in Mount Gambier provides those who have not been affected to come out and support those who have and I think it is really important to get together and show the unity that we do have here in Mount Gambier because we are pretty lucky to have such a supportive community.”
The event will be held on September 8 from 7.30am.
Those needing help are able to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
