In acknowledging the day and the impact of suicide on families and communities, the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group will host a community walk in Deniliquin today.
Deni MHAG chair Alison Thorne invites the community to the Deniliquin Waring Gardens between 12pm and 2pm today to be involved and learn more.
“Our community has been and continues to be impacted by suicide,” Mrs Thorne said.
“As members of Deni MHAG, we would like to acknowledge the people whose lives have been lost to suicide, those who have considered ending their own life and those bereaved by suicide.
“Mental health, mental illness and suicide really is everyone’s business.
“Increasing knowledge, upskilling the community to help those around them and making sure people know where and how to seek help is important. The work in this space never stops and there is always more to do.
“Raising awareness about mental health and suicide is not just making people aware that it is a problem, but effectively and actively implementing strategies to identify people at risk, and to increase help-seeking behaviours.
“This involves action by all of the community, as we all have a role to play”.
Today’s event will be centred on the barbecue area of the Waring Gardens, on the Harrison St side of the park.
Included will be a 30-minute walk starting at 12.30pm, followed by a light lunch and a chat about how community members can contribute to reduce the risk of suicide in our community.
Circumstances relating to suicide are complex and multifaceted, and multiple factors may contribute to a person taking their own life rather than a single reason.
These include factors such as recent or past adverse life events, loss of significant others, family discord and lack of social supports.
Deni MHAG also recognises that another significant risk factor is stigma, as well as the lack of help-seeking behaviours or knowing where to seek help.
Deni MHAG member Lourene Liebenberg said increasing suicide prevention literacy in communities is an “important cog in the bigger wheel of tackling suicide as a national health problem”.
“We can all be mental health allies and help reduce the stigma, by sharing information and encouraging help-seeking,” Mrs Liebenberg said.
“Deni MHAG website signposts the way to help. We have a wide range of posters that can be printed their website.
“We encourage businesses, organisations and sporting clubs to print and display these in their shopfronts, behind toilet doors, staff tea rooms to ensure people know where and how to seek help, anywhere, anytime.
“These can be found at www.denimentalhealth.org.au/resources.”
Deni MHAG also has a range of printed resources and magnets, and anyone wanting to access these for an event, or to display in their venues, is welcome to email lourene@bigpond.com.
• Thinking and reading about suicide can be distressing. If you need help, or anyone else you know, please access the support you need. If you are in distress, 24/7 helplines include Accessline 1800 800 944, Lifeline 13 11 14 or visit www.denimentalhealth.org.au/urgent.
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