OUT of the Shadows walk will take a more solitary note this year but the community is rallying to ensure no-one feels alone in reflecting and seeking hope for suicide prevention amid lockdowns.
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Ballarat and District Suicide Awareness Network chairman and policeman Des Hudson said it was important to keep the event, and its integrity, even if in an online format, as a way to remember loved ones together and find a way to continue breaking the stigma about suicide.
How this event will unfold remains a work in progress and Leading Senior Constable Hudson said the network was keen to find creatives in the community whose compositions, poetry and music, might play a role in reflective points.
The virtual event will still play out leading into day break on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, but offered a chance for people to also undertake reflections in their own time afterwards. People bereaved by suicide can still have names of loved ones read out in the service.
There is still that stigma in speaking about suicide but the event has always been a way to remember loved ones alongside each other.
- Des Hudson, Ballarat and Suicide Awareness Network chairman
"Community doesn't want to forget. There is still that stigma in speaking about suicide but the event has always been a way to remember loved ones alongside each other," Leading Senior Constable Hudson said.
"What we've seen over a number of years hosting the event is strong numbers coming out each time. Some are regulars and for some the experience is still raw, but they've been coming along with friends and family or just to be with others."
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Leading Senior Constable Hudson said the pandemic had put a strong focus on mental health. He said there was a long road ahead coming out of COVID-19 in dealing with the fall out of job losses, a build-up in mortgage repayments, relationship breakdowns and strains of those who work in critical care.
University of Sydney researchers conservatively estimated a 25 per cent rise in suicide in rural and regional Australia from the pandemic, but this was prior to Victorians re-entering lockdowns.
More details for the walk are to come. To email compositions and loved ones names: enquiries@suicidepreventionballarat.com.au.
Support is available but not limited to the following, and the key message is you are never alone.
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au
- Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467
- Mensline: 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au
- Survivors of Suicide: 0449 913 535
- Relationships Australia: 1800 050 321
- headspace Ballarat (for 12-25s and parent support): 5304 4777
- Soldier On: 1300 620 380
- Ballarat Community Health: 5338 4500
- QLife: 1800 184 527 (Support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people)
- Family violence: 1800 RESPECTVeterans support: If you or someone you know needs support call Open Arms on 1800 011 046 - 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit www.openarms.gov.au
- For Aboriginal crisis support: Yarning SafeNStrong, 1800 959 563 (noon to 10pm)
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