FOUR in five community groups in Ballarat report they have had direct contact with people at-risk or affected by suicide, preliminary findings from a new study show.
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Not-for-profit health and community care provider Wellways' Connect Back project found this affirms the importance role club play in protecting people's well-being, offering support and a sense of belonging, safety and trust.
Wellways regional manager Kate Higgins said community groups felt they had a role in identifying people in distress and helping to best direct to professional support services. This was becoming an increasing awareness among clubs amid the pandemic in feeling a responsibility to check-in on members.
Ms Higgin also said many, while aware of traditional services like Lifeline, were keen to have a clearer go-to face they could trust to help.
The project is part of the Ballarat Suicide Prevention Based Trial, led by Western Victoria Primary Health Network in a state and federal government move to reduce suicide rates and improve resilience, well-being and awareness across the region.
Western Victorian PHN officially launched the trial on Friday, a year after preliminary works on the trial began in the community.
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Ms Higgins said an emerging theme among those with lived experience of mental health struggles was a need for more positive stories, promoting belonging and overcoming barriers.
Headspace Ballarat has been collecting diverse community recovery stories, rather than cures, across Ballarat to compile a book resource celebrating mental health. This project is also part of the trial.
Also a key project in the trial is mental health and suicide prevention education program Outside the Locker Room running a suite of sessions for Ballarat sporting clubs. OTLR is founded by former Carlton AFL footballer and Darley Henderson medallist Jake Edwards.
"There still exists huge stigma around mental health conditions and suicide, particularly in regional communities. Our aim is that by raising awareness of mental health challenges and promoting frank conversations about how to help one another, members of the community will seek support sooner," Mr Edwards said.
"...We support any effort to reduce the rate of suicide, but this particular trial is significant for its place-based and community-centred approach.
"Mental health conditions and suicide don't occur in a vacuum, so it's not effective to use a "one size fits all" approach. So, the fact that this project asks, "What is going on for people in Ballarat?" and "How can the Ballarat community support one another?" is fantastic and we're proud to be a part of it."
Our aim is that by raising awareness of mental health challenges and promoting frank conversations about how to help one another, members of the community will seek support sooner.
- Jake Edwards, Outside the Locker Room
The program will also collect data to help future mental health planning in the region.
Ballarat's male suicide rate stubbornly remains 30 per cent higher than the national average.
This comes as University of Sydney researchers conservatively predicted a 25 per cent rise in suicide in rural and regional Australia from the pandemic - and this estimate was made before the latest Victorian lockdowns.
Other project in the trial include: a young women's well-being program via Headspace Ballarat; a women's well-being program via Ballarat Community Health; a peer speaker model and a communty organisation and business response program also from BCH; an education and training awareness program via Uniting Ballarat; and, a focus to increase general practitioner response and risk analysis via Ballarat general practices.
If you or someone you know is in need of crisis support, phone Lifeline 13 11 14.
Help is also available, but not limited, via the following organisations. The key message is you are not alone.
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au
Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467
Mensline: 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au
headspace Ballarat (for 12-25s and parent support): 5304 4777
Kides Helpline 1800 55 1800
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 RESPECT
Ballarat Mental Health Services: 5320 4100 or after hours on 1300 247 647
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