Content Warning: This article discusses suicides with regard to awareness and prevention and may cause distress to some readers.

The Northern Rivers Suicide Prevention and Awareness Group (NRSPAG) was formed initially by members, most of whom came from the Funeral and end-of-life business, who had noticed the high numbers of suicide deaths in our region.

The numbers across NSW have slightly increased since 2019 according to the NSW Suicide Monitoring System Report, which covers all 4 years (2022 to Feb only). 431 deaths by suspected suicide this year (to May), compared with 363 in 2019 in NSW.

The Northern Rivers region from Grafton to Tweed has a very high rate of suicide, and Chairperson Dot Orchard, attending the Mental Health Symposium at the Ballina RSL last week, told the Lismore App "We need to take action and raise awareness now, we know that suicide deaths after Disasters occur, sometimes 2-3 years later, so it's not enough to protect people only in the initial stages, we need to form plans now to ensure they are supported, and supported early".

"Now is the time for people to be aware of what is going on for their friends and family and other members of the community. Trauma and mental health challenges can make people more easily irritated and seem agitated, or closed off. It's a time to forgive easily, whilst always ensuring you are safe, and to continue to check in, and feel OK to keep asking the questions are you OK? Have all your needs been met? Can we catch up?"

People are more likely to isolate after a significant trauma, if they aren't coping, whilst some time in a safe environment may be helpful to support the nervous system to regulate itself, it is not healthy if the person is avoiding social interactions altogether, or more than they would ordinarily, for a prolonged period of time. Now is when we all need to step in and support one another.

Dot told us "NRSPAG has just donated $2000 to the Wardell CORE, to ensure they have some finished rooms, which have also been furnished through the donations we have received, where people can come to speak to mental health support people and get the help they need."

"Hopefully the community chooses to go along to receive some support when they feel "kind of OK or not too bad" rather than "I really need help now", something Headspace spoke about at the Mental Health Symposium as being really important for faster and smoother mental health recovery.

Reaching out always is important, and the list of services below can support people anytime they may need or wish, but the earlier people explore strategies and seek support, the better for themselves and their loved ones".

Poverty and housing stress are two significant factors to add to the trauma impacts which can see much greater challenges for people from a mental health perspective. Lismore has the potential for many of these co-morbidity factors and Dot said "this is why we need to keep this conversation going and take action from a community and interpersonal level, all the way to a Governmental level, but we can't rely solely on either".

NSW Health has released the following information in regards to where to find help early, or if you or someone you know is in a crisis, regardless of whether there is a risk of suicide or not, but especially if self-harming behaviours or when voicing feelings of hopelessness or defeat, or suicide. More details can be found by going to their website here.

Many people may be feeling anxious, worried or afraid within flood-affected communities.

Looking after the mental health of ourselves, friends and family is an important part of staying well.

If you need support, there are a number of services you can access for free.

The below websites have a mixture of self-guided mental health resources and programs as well as one-on-one connection to professionals through webchat, online counselling and phone services.

If anyone is distressed or in need of immediate care call 000 if lives are at risk, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

NSW Mental Health Services

Categorised List of NSW Mental Health Services

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/Pages/ support-contact-list.aspx

Head to Health

Navigation platform for links to Australian online and phone supports

https://headtohealth.gov.au/

Health Direct

Direct links to etherapy services

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/etherapy

Flood Affected Individuals:

Northern NSW Local Health District Disaster Recovery Team

RAMHP Coordinator Northern NSW

Information, support and navigation of services

Rural Communities:

Specialist knowledge and support for people experiencing mental health concerns living in rural communities

Referral through Mental Health Line 1800 011 511

Samantha Osborne - RAMHP Coordinator

Samantha.Osborne@health.nsw.gov.au

0402 892 642

Headspace

Clinical and non-clinical support for young people with mild to moderate mental health issues

Lismore

2A Carrington Street, Lismore

02 6625 0200 enquiries@headspace-lismore.org.au

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People experiencing Mental Health Concerns:

25 Uralba street, Lismore 02 6622 5534

www.rekindlingthespirit.org.au

Lifeline North Coast –

https://northernnswlifeline.org.au

Connect to Wellbeing Helpline - Healthy North Coast (hnc.org.au)

Disaster information page Community Members - Healthy North Coast

(hnc.org.au)

www.hnc.org.au/telehealth-floods

1800 931 158