Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group (Deni MHAG) will be hosting an event on Tuesday 10th September 2024, in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day.
This day brings together communities in over 60 countries in a shared mission to promote stigma reduction, encourage help seeking, and honour the memories of those lost to suicide, those who have survived suicide attempts, and those who bear the weight of grief.
The activity on 10 September 2024 in Deniliquin will take place from 12pm -2pm at the BBQ area in Waring Gardens.
“We know that not everyone has two hours to spare on a workday and for this reason we have structured it in such a way that people can participate in a way that suits them “, Lourene Liebenberg, member of Deni MHAG says.
All of community is invited to participate in a short 30-minute walk, leaving from the BBQ area in Waring Gardens at 12.30 with a walk through the gardens, along the river walk, through Sanctuary Island and returning past Harry Pepper to pick up a coffee; then returning to the BBQ area for a light free lunch.
Those who are not up for a walk but want to be involved, participate or show their support can simply drop by any time between 12pm and 2 pm at the BBQ area in Waring Gardens to join in a light lunch and a chat. A wide range of free resources will also be available for community.
“The overarching purpose of our activity, like many others across the nation, is a call to action to start the conversation about the fact that we all have a role to play to reduce suicide; and this requires input and action from the community”, Alison Thorne, President of Deni MHAG says. “We hope by engaging in meaningful conversation and the sharing of ideas, that we can encourage more community-led action into the future.
Suicide has a devastating impact on families, friends and whole communities. In Australia alone nearly 10 million people have been impacted by suicide, which equates to almost half of our nation.
Sadly, in 2022 more than 3200 people died by suicide; and an estimated 65,000 Australians make a suicide attempt every year. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-44 years of age. In Australia, 75% of people who die by suicide are male; suicide rates are higher in regional, rural and remote areas compared to metropolitan areas and in 2022, the suicide rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people was approximately twice that of non-indigenous Australians.
“These facts can be confronting; however, we believe as individuals and as a community we can all play a role to reduce risk of suicide and also prevent suicides”.
This event will be supported by Deniliquin Mental Health Drug and Alcohol team as well as Wellways. This activity is supported by firsthealth Limited and Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network Community Grants through the Australian Government’s PHN program.
If you or anyone else need support, please call Accessline on 1800 800 944 or Lifeline on 13 11 44 or visit https://www.denimentalhealth.org.au/urgent for pathways to help.
Deni MHAG is a local not -for- profit organisation and charity run by volunteers to signpost the way to help, reduce stigma, increase mental health literacy and improve the mental health and wellbeing of our community.
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