Suicide Awareness: It's always time to talk

Posted Aug 24, 2021 in News

Lifeline statistics* inform us that suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-44. In 2019, 65,000 Australians made a suicide attempt, 1 million people called Lifeline, 3,318 people died of suicide (9 people a day) and 75% of these deaths were male. 

The reasons why people may want to take their own lives are complex; however, we do know they include feelings of loneliness, loss of control, mental health and a loss of purpose or meaning.

On Thursday 9^th September, Scots Church Adelaide will observe its 11^th year of actively sharing information, support and resources in acknowledgement of the many lives lost by suicide each year. This year the program brings with it a new focus on talking about mental health and how to care for one’s own mental health.

Held on RUOK Day and one day prior to World Suicide Prevention Day, this event has been a collaborative project with many agencies, some who already seek to support city residents, students and visitors to the city and others who provide specific support to people whose loved ones have died by suicide or are affected by issues of mental health. These include: City of Adelaide, Adelaide University College, MOSH, Young Christian Workers, BATYR and Study Adelaide.

Whilst earlier Scots programs were focused entirely on suicide awareness and support for people affected by suicide, this year’s program will focus on looking out for each other and building skills to provide greater resilience during tough times.

From 10.00 am – 3.00 pm on 9^th September, a range of activities will be held at Scots including:

• A tranquil garden for relaxation
• An invitation to write a note and tie a yellow ribbon on our fence to remember loved ones lost to suicide or to offer support to people who have thought about it
• Resource and information booths including a booth focused on support for First Nations people
• Gift bags entitled with the tagline ‘…And one for a friend’ to provide ideas and tools to enable friends concerned about the wellbeing of another so they can engage in meaningful conversation
• Mindfulness pursuits
• Gratitude wall
• Music making program
• Tai Chi class
• Speaker from Beyond Blue.

This event will provide ideas about how to care for your own mental health through tough times and with education so you can have further important conversations. There will be time and space for reflection and acknowledgement of those we may have lost to suicide.

Further information about this day is available from Rev. Jill Lienert through the Scots Church Adelaide Office on: 08 8223 1505.

*Lifeline website 2021 using 2019 Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.

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