Do You Want to Help Reduce Suicides in the Community?

The Nepean Blue Mountains Suicide Prevention Collaborative is calling on people who want to work on short-term practical activities that help prevent people from ending their life.

The Collaborative is a group of people working together to reduce suicide rates across the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas. Members are individuals with a lived or living experience of suicide, representatives from government and non-government organisations, community groups, volunteers and business owners.

Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, supports the Collaborative through funding from the Australian Government’s Targeted Regional Initiatives for Suicide Prevention program. Since March 2024, the Collaborative has been meeting regularly to discuss activities that will make a positive impact.

Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said the Collaborative is actively seeking more participants from across the community who want to join a working group focused on short-term activities.

“Suicide is a deeply complex issue. Preventing suicide, and reducing the stigma surrounding suicide, requires a whole of community approach and collective effort from governments, agencies and the community. The Collaborative brings together like-minded individuals who share a commitment to preventing suicides, promoting aftercare following a suicide attempt or crisis and supports after suicide loss, fostering connection, reducing stigma and building hope through initiatives, open dialogue and accessible support,” explained Ms Reay.

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