South West Suicide Prevention Coordinator Joins R U OK Day team

St John of God Bunbury Hospital's newly appointed South West Suicide Prevention Coordinators have teamed up with Headspace Bunbury and Cafe 140 to promote R U OK Day

6 Sep 2016

6 September 2016

Suicide is a leading cause of death and over 2,500 people die in Australia every year. That equates to more than seven people each day. Western Australia has the second highest rate of suicide in Australia.

The R U OK? message promotes that a conversation could change a life. South West Community Alcohol and Drug Service Manager Jonathan Farr says in the time it takes to have a cup of coffee, you can ask if someone is OK, listen without judgement, encourage action and follow up.

Cafe 140 will again be decorating the cafe this year to help promote the message. They will be selling coffee in R U OK? cups on Thursday 8 September 2016.

St John of God Bunbury Hospital South West Community Alcohol and Drug Service are pleased to have employed the first of seven proposed WA Suicide Prevention Coordinators in a $3.5 million initiative from the Mental Health Commission.

The South West Coordinator position will act as a central point for communication, to assist services on the ground to work in partnership improving the support and care for those affected by suicide and suicide attempts.

Coordinators will promote suicide prevention training and self-help activities to communities, professionals and first responders to a suicide. Suicide prevention is a key priority, and while there are a range of support services available for people requiring intervention or in crisis within regional areas, the position of the Suicide Prevention Coordinator will increase local community and service capacity to identify and respond to suicide and related mental health issues at a local level.

A South West plan will be developed and this will build upon previous collaborations between key stakeholders, including community members and workplaces to come together to reduce the risk of suicide. The plan will reflect the six action areas defined in the Suicide Prevention 2020 – Together We Can Save Lives report.

Contacts to help anyone who might be struggling:

Lifeline (24/7) 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service (24/7) 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline (24/7) 1800 551 800
Beyond Blue (24/7) 1300 224 636
eheadspace.org.au (12-25 years) 1800 650 890