The quote read as follows _
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"Someone once said the best antiseptic is sunlight and I think that's very much the case with mental health and suicide. Things don't get better if we don't get them out in the open and talk about them."
That quote was delivered by Bruce McMillan who shared his lived experience as part of the Illawarra Mercury's Care to QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer campaign which was honoured with the national award at the 2019 LiFE Awards for outstanding contribution to suicide prevention. It was fitting Mr McMillan was in the audience at the LiFE Awards when Illawarra Mercury editor Julian O'Brien thanked the people who shared their stories as part of the campaign.
The campaign and national award only came about because the a range of like-minded individuals and groups came together to support the campaign and make a difference in their community. The Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative was a key partner in the campaign, particularly Alex Hains and Emma Paterson.
A number of other key suicide prevention organisations provided support and guidance throughout the campaign. The campaign was written largely by the Illawarra Mercury's head of news Lisa Wachsmuth who told the stories of people with lived experience with empathy and care.
Outside of the public awareness, there was a direct call to action with the campaign urging people to sign up and take the latest online training course to assist in identifying and supporting people who may be contemplating suicide.
Well over 2000 in this community signed up and took the QPR course during the campaign. They are the beacons of hope in our community for people who need their support.
It is also important to recognise Federal member for Whitlam Stephen Jones and Member for Keira Ryan Park who secured a combined $20,000 in funding to enable the people in our community to undertake the training course for free. Thank you to all of those people who played a role in this important campaign.