Suicide Prevention Australia has announced the winners of the 19th Annual State LiFE (Living is For Everyone) Awards which celebrate the commitment and determination of those working towards the reduction of suicide within our communities.
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO, Nieves Murray said, “Nominations are received from all over Australia, and every year we are overwhelmed by the number of quality nominations showcasing the important and innovative work that many Australians are doing.
“The calibre of this year’s LiFE Award recipients is outstanding. Each and every recipient is working tirelessly in the prevention of suicide and support of those affected by suicide.
“I’d like to personally thank the 2022 recipients for the vital contribution you’re all making to the lives of others.”
The recipients
Priority populations
- NSW: Parents Beyond Breakup – A charity that supports parents experiencing trauma related to family breakdown and separation. It is the only known wide scale, structured peer support for separating parents provided across the developed world.
- QLD: Leilani Darwin, Black Dog Institute – Leilani is a pioneer. In her current role as the Black Dog Institute’s first director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, she has set up the national Lived Experience Centre which is the first initiative of its kind in Australia and internationally.
- SA: ifarmwell (University of South Australia) – ifarmwell is a free online tool kit to help farmers cope effectively with life’s challenges and get the most out of every day, regardless of the circumstances they face.
- VIC: PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) – PANDA was founded in 1983 by a group of new mothers experiencing postnatal depression (PND) when perinatal mental illness was highly stigmatised and misunderstood. Founded from lived experience, PANDA developed a strong peer support model through the sharing of lived experience.
Workplace
- NSW: Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney with the Lifeline Mobile Café initiative – The aim of the Lifeline Mobile Café is to provide compassionate and crucial support, at the time and place that people need it. The need for mobilised crisis support was identified through collaboration with and feedback provided by representatives from the local community.
- QLD: Mackay Regional Council – Mackay Regional Council strives to reduce stigma, build life-saving awareness and further suicide prevention education in its workforce and the community. Long-term efforts have resulted in an environment where staff feel more able to openly discuss suicide and come together in a concerted effort to prevent suicide.
Outstanding contribution
- NSW: Professor Helen Christensen AO is a Scientia Professor School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and a Board Director of the Black Dog Institute. Professor Christensen has made significant discoveries and has influenced policy over the past decade, resulting in an outstanding contribution to evidence-based suicide prevention. She is an innovator in suicide prevention.
- QLD: Edie Weiss, Grape Vine Group – Edie volunteers for three suicide prevention organisations – Grapevine Group, Lifeline and Run for MI Life. She regularly presents ASIST training in other regions for LivingWorks and collaborates with a range of services, businesses, schools, sports and community organisations to provide opportunities for more training in Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions.
- SA: AnglicareSA – For over a decade, AnglicareSA has benefited significantly from dedicated volunteers with lived experience of suicide. Using their unique insights and personal understanding of the complexities surrounding suicide, the volunteers have assisted staff to support grieving families, friends and co-workers after a suicide loss.
Communities in action
- NT: Hoops 4 Health – Hoops 4 Health was initiated through a group of community minded and driven people in Darwin who all had close family members who have experienced trauma from suicidal behaviours of someone close to them.
- WA: Happiness Co – Happiness Co helps people recognise their emotions and manage their triggers through online programs, live workshops and events and work with individuals, schools and corporate teams, providing a platform to promote, happiness, kindness, community and contribution.
“We’ll be opening nominations for the 2023 LiFE Awards soon so keep an eye out and start thinking about those in your community or workplace that are doing innovative work in suicide prevention,” said Ms Murray.
If you’d like to learn more about the LiFE Awards and the various categories, head to our website for more information.
To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, phone 000 for emergency services.
Help to report about suicide safely is available online: Go to https://mindframe.org.au/
Media enquiries:
Clare Kinsella 0427 689 689 or clarek@suicidepreventionaust.org
Amelia Banks 0410 591 134 or ameliab@suicidepreventionaust.org
About Suicide Prevention Australia
Suicide Prevention Australia is the national peak body and we’ve been providing support for Australia’s suicide prevention sector for more than 25 years. We support and advocate for our members to drive continual improvement in suicide prevention policy, programs and services. Our reach is broad, including member organisations, governments, businesses, researchers, practitioners and those with lived experience. We are focused on an integrated approach to suicide prevention encompassing mental health, social, economic and community factors. We believe that through collaborative effort and shared purpose, we can achieve our vision of a world without suicide.
