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 Wednesday, 26 March 2025 Suicide Prevention Australia hosted the South Australia LiFE Award at University of Adelaide’s National Wine Centre in Adelaide. 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 SA State Committee Chair, Karen McColl who alongside Suicide Prevention Australia’s Executive General Manager, Kylie Hawker, announced the following recipients:
Best Practice in Workplace Award: Multi Agency Collaborative Site Visits Under the SA Suicide Prevention Act
This initiative links the notification of suicide data from the South Australian Suicide Registry, responses from utilisation of the Suicide Prevention Act, and the collaborative processes undertaken in site visits to make appropriate recommendations to support organisations to provide actions to reduce suicide. Inspections occur to review any aspects of the sites and surrounding infrastructure which may present a significant risk, as well as to make recommendations that would assist with increased safety for the public.
Communities in Action Award: Multi Agency Collaborative Site Visits Under the South Australian Suicide Prevention Act
People who die by suicide are known to take steps to prevent their actions from being interrupted. This means searching for locations with limited potential for rescue, including public places. Generating high level recommendations for evidence-based suicide prevention efforts in South Australia. After site visits and key informant interviews, best evidence interventions are used to determine what may help at the time of final moments of a suicide act. A written report is generated considering cost, practical implementation, effectiveness, and possible iatrogenic effects of targeted interventions.
Innovative Practice and Research Award: Support After First Responder and Military Suicide Studies
The initiative aims to establish a national framework to support families and peers of military and emergency service personnel who have died by suicide. This is crucial given the high exposure to suicide within these communities and the severe lack of existing support services tailored to their specific needs. The initiative involves pulling together key stakeholders and organisations across Australia to contribute to the design and execution of a multi-stage project that has considered pre-existing international literature and the Australian context, impacting national policy change and service delivery, as well as the ongoing development of practical resources.
Outstanding Contribution Award: Perrin Abbas
Following the profound loss of her partner to suicide, Perrin has emerged as a powerful advocate in suicide prevention, combining lived experience with professional expertise to create a lasting impact. Her leadership in peer support through Solace After Suicide provides crucial healing spaces for those bereaved by suicide. Through collaborations with Wesley Mission and StandBy, she strengthens support networks for at-risk communities. Her ‘EquiVoices’ radio show breaks cultural barriers around mental health, while her cross-cultural workshops with Multicultural Communities Council of SA address suicide prevention in diverse communities.
Priority Populations Award: Aftermath Alliance: StandBy and SA Police
People left with the aftermath of a loved one who has died by suicide, remain a cohort of people who are at a higher risk of suiciding in our community. Working together to connect people to support after suicide – the Aftermath Alliance – aims to build collaborative relationships with first responders – South Australian Police (SAPOL) and South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS) to ensure that everyone involved has the opportunity for support. This referral mechanism is put in place to try and prevent further suicides, as those who have experienced a loss from suicide are eight times more likely to consider suicide than those who have not.
We would also like to extend a special thank you to event hosts for the event, University of Adelaide, who provided the use of the National Wine Centre as the venue for the presentation, we greatly value their support.
Recipients of the SA 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.
