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 Thursday, 20 March 2025 Suicide Prevention Australia hosted the Queensland State LiFE Award at KPMG in Brisbane. The evening showcased the important work being done in Queensland by individuals and organisations to prevent suicide and support those in need.
The evening was led by the newly appointed QLD State Committee Chair, Tanja Hirvonen who alongside Suicide Prevention Australia’s Executive General Manager, Kylie Hawker, announced the following recipients:
Best Practice in Workplace Award: Keybuild Constructions
The Keybuild leadership team has decades of construction experience, with a deep passion for suicide prevention stemming from personal losses within the industry and their community. Committed to supporting their employees, they ensure every team member is trained in suicide prevention awareness, including Mates in Construction (MIC) general awareness, safeTALK, and ASIST programs. All apprentices undergo Apprentice Resilience training, and supervisors complete Supervisor training. Keybuild has also enrolled staff in RESPOND, a postvention program by MIC. With these initiatives, Keybuild strives to provide the tools and support needed to look after each other and prevent suicide within the workplace.
Communities in Action Award: HopeStairs Project
The HopeStairs initiative has transformed a community staircase that is often the last step seen for individuals who have jumped from an overpass bridge into a powerful source of hope and connection for those struggling with mental health. There are messages on the staircase, including five heartfelt audio messages shared by individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide. These messages are the words of love families wish they could’ve shared with their loved ones and act as a last line of defence in the darkness when no one else is present. This innovative approach is a unique design bringing communities together and fostering resilience by helping those in darkness feel seen, valued, and connected.
Innovative Practice and Research Award: CALM Program
8 years ago, two women with lived and living experience, having worked in the sector for many years, identified there was a need for training around suicide awareness and prevention in Australia. They recognised the diversity of culture, community, stressors and sectors and that one size fits all programs were not meeting need. Alongside a reference group, they spent 18 months developing CALM – a one-day suicide prevention/intervention program that is evidence and lived experience based, current, flexible, time and cost effective. This program has now reached over 13,000 participants and helped to save lives.
Outstanding Contribution Award: Safe Space Neami
Neami’s Safe Space in Strathpine, is a peer-led Emergency Department alternative for people experiencing distress. Funded by the Brisbane North Primary Health Network (BNPHN). Neami’s Space is 1 of 4 in the Brisbane North Safe Space Network. Safe Space is an inclusive, welcoming and supportive space for anyone. People can “walk in” without a referral or appointment and experience compassionate and non-judgmental support from peer workers in a home-like environment. The space is open when many other services are closed. People are provided the time and space to explore and make sense of their distress though human connection.
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, KPMG who hosted the event at their Brisbane offices, we greatly value their support.
Recipients of the Queensland 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.
