Lake walk for Suicide Prevention Day
This Saturday is World Suicide Prevention Day, and Lifeline is encouraging Australians to walk 9km for the nine Australian lives lost to suicide every day.
The ‘Out of the Shadows Walk’ is to remember those lost to suicide while raising funds for Australians in crisis.
The Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative is coordinating a walk around the Finley Lake from 8am to 11am.
Bacon and egg rolls and coffee will be available at the end, with profits donated to Lifeline.
Lifeline, in conjunction with the NSW Government and Headspace, are partners of Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative.
It was established in October last year to build support networks, knowledge and skills within and around the local community so individuals are better able to help themselves and each other in times of need.
“Community members can walk just five laps of the Finley Lake to express their support for those who have lost their lives to suicide, to their families and friends and to each other,” said Collaborative member Catherine Healy, who is also a local clinician at Capable Minds.
“We’d like to encourage our community members to show their support for each other by walking on Saturday. Whether you are paying tribute to someone, supporting
someone, have lost someone to suicide or want to be part of the greater mental health movement in our communities, we’d love to see you there.
“The Collaborative wants to build a culture in the communities of Finley, Tocumwal, J eril derie, Berrigan and Barooga where people know that when times get tough, they don’t have to do it alone as collectively our communities have their back.
“Part of that is ensuring people know that it’s okay to talk about their challenges with someone, that they can access support locally and they will be supported.”
The Collaborative has also been funding community members to attend Mental Health First Aid Training run by the Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
“The aim of the course is to create a network of people across our communities who know about mental health, how to support someone who is experiencing mental ill health or who is in crisis and to know where people can access help.
“Participants come away better equipped and prepared to have conversations with their work colleagues, family members, friends, community members or teammates.
“It’s not about having all of the answers, it’s about knowing where to go to find them. It’s knowing where to find help if we ask ‘RUOK?’ and the answer is ‘no’.”
To register for Saturday’s event, go to www.outo f t h e s h a d o ws wal k . o r g . au, or find the link on the Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative or Lifeline Facebook pages.