LiFE Awards

Nominations for the 2024 LiFE Awards have now closed.

For 21 years we have been recognising excellence in suicide prevention with the Suicide Prevention Australia LiFE Awards – Living is For Everyone.

The LiFE Awards aim to showcase the important work being done in states and territories across Australia by individuals and organisations to prevent suicide and support those in need.

There are five categories that recognise the diverse and innovative efforts being undertaken to save lives and reduce suicide. These categories acknowledge individuals and organisations at a state and territory level, with all award recipients automatically proceeding to the national awards.

Nominations are received from across Australia and, every year, we are deeply moved by the high quality of submissions. Suicide Prevention Australia is committed to shining a light on the dedication and passion exhibited by so many who work tirelessly towards our shared vision of a world without suicide.

We encourage all individuals and organisations making a difference to nominate for the 2024 LiFE Awards.

2023 LiFE Awards National Winners at the LiFE Awards Dinner on Wednesday 3 May 2023, in Canberra.

State and Territory LiFE Award Categories

If you or someone you know has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to suicide prevention, we encourage you to nominate for one of the categories below. Help us shine a light on the lifesaving work that is being done around Australia to reduce suicide!

Individuals and organisations are eligible to nominate for any of the five categories.

Communities in Action

Recognises the critical role that individuals and organisations in communities play in identifying and taking action in suicide prevention. This may involve the development of a local plan for mental wellbeing and suicide prevention, or an activity that brings the community together to facilitate social connection and provides opportunities to talk about mental health and suicide prevention. This award acknowledges that communities working together are at the heart of suicide prevention strategies.

Outstanding Contribution

Recognises individuals and organisations who work to reduce the rate and impact of suicide, and who have tremendous heart, skills and experience. Whether they are volunteers or working in paid positions or an organisation, it is through their efforts, insight and initiative that our communities become stronger and more resilient. They work tirelessly to make sure that those who are thinking that life is not worth living are given the right tools to get them back on track. They support individuals and communities, and standup for better services in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention.

Priority Populations

Recognises innovation in service delivery by an individual or organisation that is culturally responsive, overcomes barriers, promotes inclusion and delivers improved outcomes for all. The submission should outline the objectives and positive impact it has on the intended populations and groups, specifically:

  • addressing, preventing or responding to suicidal behaviours in populations and groups disproportionately affected by suicide or
  • highlighting the gaps and identifying strategies and embedding innovative solutions specifically for people in need.

Innovative Practice and Research

Recognises innovative practices and research by individuals and organisations to strengthen our understanding of effective suicide prevention, intervention and postvention strategies. This category highlights initiatives that may target recent events which threaten mental health, and recognises research into strengthening best practice in suicide prevention, specifically those that further:

  • greater knowledge, insights or innovations in suicide prevention in the field of research or
  • innovative action to address, prevent, or respond to suicidal behaviours and their impact on the local community.

Best Practice in Workplace

Recognises an individual or organisation that demonstrates outstanding commitment to preventing suicide among its employees. These are individuals and organisations that provide significant support to their employees, assisting the health and sustainability of their workforce. This award recognises the good work being done to help their employees by providing structures and supports that prevent suicide and/or assist if they have been impacted by suicide. The workplace will reflect best practice and can be held up as an example of excellence.

2024 State and Territory LiFE Award Recipients

The individual state and territory LiFE Award recipients can be viewed below.

Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia will be announced in the coming weeks.

National LiFE Awards

State and Territory LiFE Award recipients will be automatically eligible for the National LiFE Award in their nominated category. National LiFE Award winners will be announced at the National Suicide Prevention Conference in Adelaide on Wednesday 1 May 2024.

National Suicide Prevention Conference

Hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia, the national conference presents a unique opportunity to bring the sector together and share the latest thinking to promote best practice and innovation in suicide prevention. The 2024 theme, ‘Collective Courage. Accelerate Impact’, aims to empower attendees to take meaningful actions, understand the real impact of their work, and contribute to collective efforts in suicide prevention.

Held from Tuesday 30 April to Thursday 2 May 2024 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the event will enable delegates to hear from leading keynote speakers, participate in workshops and networking and collaborate with their peers.

Suicide Prevention Australia looks forward to announcing the 2024 National LiFE Award recipients at the gala dinner event during the conference.

Learn more about the conference and register:

Register

Previous Recipients

Impact

Impact (Highly Commended)

Innovation

Karen Phillips, Former General Manager, StandBy Support after Suicide

Lifeline Queensland (13YARN)

Vicki McKenna, Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Network, Black Dog Institute

Communities in Action

Leesa Mountford, Founder, I Got You, ACT

Sabrina’s Reach4Life, NT

Jamie Mallinder, Marsh/Independent Community Advocate, WA

Outstanding Contribution

Christine Morgan, CEO, National Mental Health Commission, NSW

Karen Phillips, General Manager, StandBy Support after Suicide, QLD

Soa Palelei, Wellness Ambassador, Strong Minds, Strong Mines, WA

Priority Populations

Health in Gear Program (OzHelp), ACT

Lifeline Queensland (13YARN), QLD

Vicki McKenna, Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Network, WA

Workplace

Shayne Connell, CEO, LivingWorks Australia, NSW

Strong Minds, Strong Mines, WA

Fulton Hogan, VIC

Tasmanian recipients

Tracey Martin-Cole, Mental Health Council Tasmania – Outstanding Contribution to Suicide Prevention

Stronger Together in Circular Head (STICH) – Lifeline Communities in Action for Suicide Prevention

Jasmine Ellis, SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY! – Outstanding Contribution to Suicide Prevention by a Young Person

Grumpy Goats Co Care Farm, Newport and Wildman – Innovative Practice and Research

Simplot – Ulverstone site, TasNetworks – Best Practice in Suicide Prevention by a Workplace

Leadership

Innovation

Impact

Scientia Professor Helen Christensen AO

ifarmwell.com, UniSA

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)

Communities in Action

Hoops 4 Health, Northern Territory

Happiness Co, Western Australia

Outstanding Contribution

Professor Helen Christensen AO, New South Wales

Edie Weiss, Grape Vine Group, Queensland

AnglicareSA, South Australia

Priority Populations

Parents Beyond Breakup, New South Wales

Leilani Darwin, Black Dog Institute, Queensland

ifarmwell (University of South Australia), South Australia

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia), Victoria

Workplace

Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney with the Lifeline Mobile Café initiative, New South Wales

Mackay Regional Council, Queensland

Leadership

Innovation

Impact

Alan Woodward

#ChatSafe, Associate Professor Jo Robinson, Orygen

Associate Professor Maree Toombs

Communities in Action

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative (the Collaborative), New South Wales

The Sons of the West (run by the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation), Victoria

Rotary Club of Gladstone Port Curtis – Project We Care, Queensland

The Learning from Lived Experience Project (LfLE), South Australia

City of Rockingham, Western Australia

Outstanding Contribution

Alan Woodward, New South Wales

Laurencia Grant, Northern Territory

Alison Kelly, Queensland

Soa Palelei (Strong Minds, Strong Mines), Western Australia

Priority Populations

#chatsafe, Victoria

Helen Lambert (The Little Red Threat Book), Northern Territory

Maree Toombs, Queensland

CYPRESS Program, Western Australia

Lifetime Achievement Award

Emerging Researcher

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Award

Communities Matter – Organisation 

Communities Matter – Individual

Media 

Workplace

Hon. John Dawkins MLC

Dr Zac Seidler

Dr Lynore Geia

Grapevine Group

Lindy MacGregor

SANE Australia – Better Off With You Campaign

Ambulance Tasmania

Leadership Award

Emerging Researcher

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Award

Communities Matter – Organisation 

Communities Matter – Individual

Media 

Workplace

Brendan Maher

Dr Angela Nicholas

Tony Lee

Jewish Care

Justin Geange

Illawarra Mercury

Hydro Tasmania

Leadership Award

Emerging Researcher

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Award

Communities Matter – Organisation 

Communities Matter – Individual

Media 

Workplace

Jorgen Gullestrup

Alison Kennedy

Babana Aboriginal

Far North Queensland Suicide Prevention Taskforce

Joe Williams

Dannielle Miller

Huon Aquaculture