There is always hope.
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That was the overriding message over the Illawarra Mercury's suicide prevention campaign, Care to QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer.
The campaign, formed over a coffee date between staff of the Mercury and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative, took shape before it launched in July last year. The objective of the campaign had two main aims.
The first was to tell the deeply personal stories of the people of the region.
We wanted to share their lived experiences with suicide with the one over-riding message: There is always hope. Even when all seems lost, there is always hope.
The second was to encourage people in the local community to undertake the latest in online training courses for people on suicide prevention, the QPR training course.
The short and effective course gives people the tools to help someone they think might need that help.
It guides you through on asking the right questions and how to ask them in the right manner.
Or - if you don't feel comfortable with that - what to do.
Over the course of the campaign almost 3000 people signed up to take the QPR course online.
Every single one of those people are now beacons of hope in our community in the fight against suicide.
They are there to give hope to others when they need it most.
We must also say a personal thank you also to Member for Whitlam, Stephen Jones and Member for Keira, Ryan Park.
Both were strong advocates within their governments to secure $20,000 to allow the free training licenses for the community.
On Monday, this campaign was recognised as a national finalist in the 2019 LiFE Awards to be announced in Melbourne in July.
These awards recognise excellence and the energy and commitment of the nominees in helping reduce suicide in our communities.
Reminding people that there is always hope.
For support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.
