Suicide has been at the forefront of our world news of late, with some celebrated celebrities tragically taking their own lives.
According to crisis support agency Lifeline, suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians under the age of 44. 2012 ABS data concludes that almost seven deaths are by suicide in Australia every day.
Lifeline believes that our community must take action and stand up to support suicide prevention. National peak body Suicide Prevention Australia concurs, suggesting that suicide prevention is everyone’s business and setting out to up-skill the community to help achieve a meaningful reduction of suicide in Australia.
Volunteers from Lifeline take over 2000 crisis calls daily across Australia and they say it’s time to walk out of the shadows and into the light.
The Out of the Shadows campaign coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2014 and will feature community walks across all of the states of Australia.
You can get involved by joining a local walk or organising a walk in your local community. Funds raised will help Lifeline continue with their valuable crisis support work in our community, as well as with vital suicide prevention awareness raising projects and community education and suicide bereavement programs. Click here to read about Lifeline’s community work or to seek their support if you need some help.
Gold Coast City will host an Out of the Shadows walk on 13 September at 8am, starting from Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach. To find out more or get involved, email paula.nash@uccommunity.org.au
Many people in our community have been touched by suicide in some way but the recent international outpouring of grief and dialogue on mental health issues since the tragic loss of some very high profile people has been unprecedented. When the true depth of suffering by a much loved character comes to light, it stirs people to take action and effect change for the betterment of those around them.
Out of the Shadows aims to provide the opportunity to channel our grief in a positive way and unite to work towards suicide prevention in Australia and beyond.
Join the conversation on social media, spread the word and get on board with an Out of the Shadows walk near you.
