World Suicide Prevention Day - 10 September 2005

Release date: 08 Sep 2005

Lifeline Australia would like to remind Australians that this Saturday, the 10th of September, is World Suicide Prevention Day. To coincide, Lifeline is launching its national tool kit for helping someone at risk of suicide to keep safe and get further support.

Lifeline Australia would like to remind Australians that this Saturday, the 10th of September, is World Suicide Prevention Day. To coincide, Lifeline is launching its national tool kit for helping someone at risk of suicide to keep safe and get further support.

World Suicide Prevention Day is intended to draw attention to the prevention of suicide - a leading cause of death worldwide across all age-groups, but particularly in young people.

Dawn Smith, CEO of Lifeline Australia, said that World Suicide Prevention Day is an ideal occasion to launch its tool kit. “Suicides have a devastating impact upon individuals affected and the whole community. The Lifeline tool kit helps its users identify the signs to look for and helps them decide what to do to reach out and get further help.”

Tragically, each week more than 40 Australians take their own life and our young male suicide rate is the fourth highest among Western countries.

Ms Smith said that most people who consider suicide get through the crisis. “Family, friends and professionals can make a difference in helping people stay safe and re-connect with reasons for living,” she said.

“Lifeline’s tool kit provides a ten point action plan to help prevent suicide and its tragic legacy.”

The tool kit will help identify signs to look for, decide what to do and learn what help is available. Most people who consider suicide get through the crisis. Family, friends and professionals can make a big difference in helping people stay safe and re-establish reasons for living.

Ms Smith is currently in South Africa attending the annual conference of the International Association for Suicide Prevention. “Lifeline International is hosting the event and our focus this year is on preventing suicide behaviours in diverse cultures.”

“Suicides affect communities around the globe and prevention strategies can vary from culture to culture. Given the diverse mix of cultures in Australia, we seek to ensure our suicide prevention strategies recognise cultural differences,” Ms Smith said.

Lifeline’s tool kit for helping someone at risk of suicide was developed with funding provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The tool kit is available from the Lifeline website at www.lifeline.org.au or by calling Lifeline’s rural mental health information line, Just Ask during business hours on 1300 13 11 14.

Lifeline’s 24 hour telephone counselling services are available on 13 11 14.

Media Contact: Brian Humphreys (ph: 02 6295 8088, 0409 333 936)