The LiFE Awards (Living is for Everyone) are designed to acknowledge the extraordinary work being done throughout the country in suicide prevention and showcase dedication, innovation and leadership.
The LiFE Awards are designed to celebrate and amplify initiatives that are breaking new ground so that others can learn and embed best-practice suicide prevention solutions across their communities. They 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.
On Tuesday, 11 March 2025 Suicide Prevention Australia hosted the NSW State LiFE Award at Macquarie Asset Management in Sydney. The evening showcased the important work being done in NSW by individuals and organisations to prevent suicide and support those in need.
The evening was led by NSW State Committee Chair, Toby Dawson who alongside Suicide Prevention Australia Board Chair, Graham McLean announced the following recipients:
Best Practice in Workplace Award: Open Minds Lismore
Open Minds is leading the way in integrating Suicide Awareness and Response frameworks within both their services and the broader community. In Lismore Open Minds has achieved this by implementing a leading evidence-based suicide prevention framework, “Safeside Prevention” at the Medicare Mental Health Centre they manage and in the broader community. This has included providing no cost training to local mental health providers and partner agencies to improve skills and confidence to enable a whole of community response to suicide prevention. This approach of extending a suicide prevention framework and education to community ensures mental health and other workers in the region are using a shared language and consistent approach to assessing and responding to suicide risk.
Communities in Action Award: Perinatal Mental Health Week (PMHWeek)
Maternal suicide remains the leading cause of death among expectant and new mothers. While perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) is treatable, a lack of awareness about symptoms and available support remain a significant barrier for parents experiencing mental ill health. Perinatal Mental Health Week (PMHWeek) is a powerful, national collaboration of 56 organisations united to create understanding, reduce stigma and provide education and support to parents during their most vulnerable time, specific to their needs. Since 2021 Gidget Foundation Australia has been commissioned by the Commonwealth Government to lead and manage the national awareness campaign for PMHWeek.
Innovative Practice and Research Award: StandBy Peer Support Model
The StandBy program has successfully introduced a Peer Support Model which offers an innovative, flexible support model for suicide postvention that is the first of its kind in Australia. Peer workers with lived experience of suicide bereavement have joined the local StandBy teams to offer holistic, wrap around peer support for people bereaved or impacted by suicide. The model fills a gap in postvention services by providing one-on-one peer support, focusing on the relationship between a person bereaved by suicide and a peer worker, where their mutual experience and understanding of losing someone to suicide allows for a deeper connection.
Outstanding Contribution Award: Safe Space Blacktown – Stride
The Safe Space initiative, established by Stride in Blacktown in 2020, addresses the urgent need for crisis intervention in mental health and suicide prevention. Recognized for its outstanding contribution, it offers timely, effective aftercare for individuals experiencing suicidal distress. Key features include a peer-centred approach utilising skilled workers with lived experience, improved community follow-up, and availability during high demand times. By integrating with local health services, Safe Space ensures a robust, supportive network, significantly reducing the risk of suicide and enhancing recovery. This model aligns with the Productivity Commission’s goals for prevention and early intervention, demonstrating its vital role in community mental health.
Priority Populations Award: Suicide Prevention for CALD Communities Project, Educaid Australia
Educaid’s Suicide Prevention for CALD Communities Project delivered over 102 culturally responsive training workshops to more than 2,000 people across schools, workplaces, and community organisations in NSW. In partnership with LivingWorks, the evidence-based training equipped young people, parents, educators, and community leaders from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and faith communities with life-saving skills. This impactful, community-centred project connects individuals to vital support networks and stands as a leading example of inclusive suicide prevention for priority populations. Through a culturally sensitive approach, Educaid is challenging stigma, fostering mental health literacy, and creating open dialogue around suicide.
Suicide Prevention Australia would like to thank all those who submitted a nomination for the awards. We recognise that through our collective efforts, we are stronger together in preventing suicide.
We would also like to extend a special thank you to our pro bono partner, Macquarie Asset Management who hosted the event at their Sydney offices, we greatly value their support.
Recipients of the NSW State LiFE Award automatically progress into the running of the National LiFE Award which will be held during the National Suicide Prevention Conference in Perth on Wednesday, 21 May.
For more information about the LiFE Awards, click here.
