Wests Illawarra is supporting Lifeline South Coast during Mental Health Month in October.
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The Aster Group club at Unanderra is engaging with Lifeline’s safeTALK Program and running a free training session about the prevention of suicide through educational awareness on Monday October 23.
Wests Illawarra has been funding the safeTALK Program since 2015 because it sees it as an important initiative aimed at increasing suicide alertness and informing community members to signs of a person that may be at risk.
During the free training session participants will learn to recognise when someone may have thoughts of suicide and to respond in ways that can link them with further intervention and help.
They will also learn how basic talk steps can link persons at risk with suicide first aid and other help to increase their safety.
The Aster Group sees the initiative as important because suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australian’s aged between 15 and 41.
Being able to recognise if someone is at risk and how to provide support can help.
Wests Illawarra brand and marketing strategy group executive Stacey Corbeski said it was good to offer people the opportunity to learn more about such an important issue that affects so many people in the community.
“We are honoured to partner with a trusted charity such as Lifeline South Coast, who has been saving lives for more than 50 years,” she said.
“Our relationship with Lifeline South Coast has grown and evolved over the years as we have common values of benefiting and improving on how we give back to our community. By holding the safeTALK Program at Wests Illawarra we will offer assistance to our local community with important information on suicide awareness and prevention”.
Lifeline South Coast executive director Graham Gould said the partnership with Wests Illawarra has been a big help in recent years.
“It is wonderful to see an organisation like Wests Illawarra being part of this important initiative by taking a lead in ensuring people are trained in recognising the signs of suicide,” Mr Gould said.
“Thanks to Wests Illawarra, we can offer free training for 120 people in suicide prevention. That kind of contribution makes a huge difference in keeping people in our local community safe. At Lifeline, we believe everyone can play a role in suicide prevention and the safeTALK Program can assist in the first steps of educational awareness”.
Lifeline’s safeTALK Program
- Lifeline’s safeTALK Program free training session takes place at Wests Illawarra on Monday October 23 from 6pm -9pm.
- The safeTALK Program is free to register online and anyone is welcome to attend.
- If you or someone you know needs support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.