WINTER can be a grim – and depressing – time of year.
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But for some parts of Ballarat’s community, winter can represent a dark state of mind with seemingly no light at the end of the tunnel.
The Ballarat and District Suicide Prevention Network wants to give a glimmer of hope to those struggling this winter. This weekend, the organisation is launching its inaugural Beat ‘N The Blues dinner dance, its major fundraising event for the year that it hopes will become an annual event.
Network chair Des Hudson said it was decided the event would be held in the depths of winter to symbolise the nature of the “winter blues” setting in and to encourage people to get out of the house and connect with others.
He also said the dance would raise much-needed funds and awareness for those contemplating ending their lives.
“The issue of suicide needs to be a public conversation,” he said.
“Ballarat was identified as having a suicide rate higher than the national average, so five years the Ballarat Suicide Prevention Network was formed and we see it as our role to advocate for services for those in crisis to help keep them safe.”
Cr Hudson said the effects of suicide went far beyond the person whose life was lost.
“Every life that is lost due to a suicide, the trauma experienced by their family and extended family is such there are often left unanswered questions that through the support of the network...we can try and assist,” he said.
Cr Hudson said the network hoped to create a preventative awareness campaign through the funds raised at the dance.
“We as communities need to look at what we can do to promote the mental health of people and that’s why advocating for improved services needs to be part of our core focus.”
The dance will be held Saturday night at the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club in Sebastopol. Tickets are $60 and include a silent auction, door prizes, raffles and live music. Tickets available from Chris Packer & Associates, corner Lydiard and Sturt streets or by phoning 5332 6577.