Lifeline Northern NSW will once again mark World Suicide Prevention Day on 8 September with an Out of the Shadows Walk in Ballina and Casino.

The event allows Lismore and other participants to join with members of the local community to unite in the hope of making a difference and raising much-needed awareness and funds for suicide prevention in the Northern Rivers.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44, and the suicide rate in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is twice that of their non-Indigenous counterparts (ABS,2022).

The intention of World Suicide Prevention Day is to shine a light on the issue, aiming to reduce the stigma around the topic and encourage conversation about it in a beneficial way and help those facing crisis to feel more comfortable reaching out and accessing the support they need. Lifeline also encourages people to ‘reach in’ by asking people if they are ok and being alongside them as they answer.

Executive Director of Lifeline Northern NSW, Michael Were, says, “It is through awareness that we grow a greater understating of suicide and the impact it has on Australians every day. Whether it is those in crisis experiencing suicidal thoughts, those with lived and living experience of suicide or those bereaved, talking through things can help to bring suicide out of the shadows so we can shine a light on this important issue”.

“Each year, over 1 million people in Australia reach out to Lifeline for support, showing the importance of services like Lifeline being available for anyone at a time and place that works for them."

"Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis support line receives a call every 28 seconds, and it is thanks to a network of 41 centres, 10,000 volunteers, and 1,000 employees providing a lifesaving national point of connection that allows us to continue to meet this demand”.

“Local Lifeline centres raise funds to support the role they play in the national network, recruiting and training crisis supporters in regional centres so that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone. We ask those who can to consider making a donation in support of Lifeline Northern NSW’s work in the region”, says Mr Were.

Lifeline Northern NSW is inviting people to come together to remember loved ones lost to suicide and show support for action to prevent suicide at its Out of the Shadows Walk on World Suicide Prevention Day.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Local walks will be held by Lifeline in both Ballina and Casino so that residents have the opportunity to walk with others. Participants are asked to register for the walk so Lifeline can notify participants of any changes due to weather conditions. See the details for each walk and register at: https://www.outoftheshadowswalk.org.au/fundraiser/LifelineNorthernNSW.

Lifeline Northern NSW’s Head of Community Engagement, Cath Bird, said, “The walk is a powerful way to reflect on lived experiences relating to suicide or suicide attempts. She said it will raise awareness about suicide and its prevention as well as help raise much-needed funds for Lifeline Northern NSW so that local volunteers can continue to play their vital role in answering calls to the national crisis line 13 11 14”.

The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day this year is 'We all have a role to play'.

Ms Bird said, “On World Suicide Prevention Day, and every other day, Lifeline is here to listen to people in times of crisis and to offer hope, but on September 8, we can all take action to show we care about suicide prevention and want to create change to prevent more lives being lost to suicide. We are grateful for continued support from all of our community partners.

“To anyone who is doing it tough, please reach out for help through 13 11 14 or our other support services. You do not have to face your struggles alone”, Ms Bird says.

Local Crisis Support Worker Sally Willing is joining the Ballina walk and said: "The Out of the Shadows Walk is a powerful way for our community to have open conversations around suicide. Friends and family who have seen that I am attending the walk have reached out to me and shared the different ways their lives have been touched by suicide. This is what the walk is all about. Talking about suicide saves lives."

Nine Australians die every day by suicide, and more than 65,000 Australians make a suicide attempt each year. Lifeline is Australia’s leading suicide prevention service, offering crisis support, individual counselling, bereavement support groups, suicide prevention training, and other community programs. 

What: Lifeline will host two Out of the Shadows Walk’s in Ballina and Casino to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

When: Ballina Sunday 8th September from 5 – 8am, Casino 8th September 6.30-8.30am.

Where: Missingham Park, Ballina. Albert Park Cricket oval, Casino

Registrations link: Out Of The Shadows - Lifeline Northern NSW (outoftheshadowswalk.org.au)

Lifeline support

• 24 hr crisis support: Telephone: 13 11 14 l Text: 0477 13 11 14 l Chat online: www.lifeline.org.au  
• Face to face and video counselling bookings: 1300 152 854
• Local resources, training and bereavement support – https://lifelinedirect.org.au/northernnsw/

If this story raises issues for you, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13 Yarn on 13 92 76.