Member for Murray Austin Evans is encouraged the Griffith community to get behind an initiative for suicide prevention. The Strategic Framework for Suicide Prevention in NSW aims to get an understanding of ideas for resolutions for, and preventative measures against, suicide.
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“The solution to suicide does not lie just with individuals, but with whole communities,” Mr Evans said.
The Strategic Framework for Suicide Prevention in NSW, conducted by NSW Health and the Mental Health Commission of NSW, intends to find the right method for seeking those resolutions.
Mr Evans stresses that it is in remote areas – an area where suicide is more prevalent – where the Framework is needed most.
“Suicide is a big issue right across the state but especially in rural areas,” Mr Evans said.
“The numbers we have in rural and remote communities are way above the numbers elsewhere.”
“We need to do something about it.”
Mr Evans noted a great concern being that so many affected by mental illness are not seeking, or are not aware of, the services available to help them.
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Yet, Mr Evans also acknowledges there are ‘gaps’ where it is easy for people to get lost.
“The biggest thing is to make sure we identify all the services, so we know where gaps exist – and where to fill those gaps,” Mr Evans said.
The Area News spoke to Val Woodland of Griffith Suicide Prevention and Support Group to get her opinion of the initiative.
“We’re coming into a dry period – farmers start to worry about their finances. It does affect rural areas,” Ms Woodland said.
“I think the thing is people don’t notice it [support groups] until they need it.”
“You go about your business and you think you’re okay, and you don’t notice the WellWays thing or the Headspace thing and then one day you need it. And you don’t know what’s available if you’ve not needed it before.”
“We have had [in Griffith] – in the past – pretty high incidents of suicide, and I think depression is a problem in our community as well.”
“This is part of the plan to come up with a framework of what we can do in communities – get communities to talk about what’s worked,” Mr Evans said.
The survey, which has been extended, can be found here www.surveymonkey.com/r/communitysuicideprev
If you or someone you know needs crisis support please call Lifelife on 13 11 14, MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78, or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
