Changing the Narrative on Suicide, is the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day this Wednesday 10 September. It’s a call to reduce stigma by encouraging openness, empathy and action to ensure those who are struggling feel heard, supported and connected.

We’re proud to support the Nepean Blue Mountains Suicide Prevention Collaborative, a passionate group of individuals and organisations who are working together to achieve a shared goal of reducing suicide rates across our region.

Since March, the Collaborative has been meeting regularly to develop initiatives that help people recognise signs of distress and feel confident to support those around them. This work is supported by the Australian Government’s Targeted Regional Initiatives for Suicide Prevention program.

Suicide is a deeply complex issue that requires a whole-of-community approach. Contributing factors are varied and not always linked to mental illness. In fact, up to a quarter of Australians who experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours in the past year had no symptoms of a mental health condition. That’s why diverse voices and lived experience are so important.

Research shows that community-led approaches tailored to local needs can reduce suicide rates by up to 7%. The Collaborative’s first initiative, a short awareness video, reflects this approach by featuring local voices and stories on the ground to help build understanding, reduce stigma, and remind people they’re not alone. We look forward to featuring this video on our website and social media across the coming days as it is launched alongside World Suicide Prevention Day. 

In the months ahead, the Collaborative will invite more community members to join working groups and help shape future activities. I encourage anyone who may be interesting in contributing to stay informed by subscribing to our Connected Community newsletter to receive regular updates.

Let’s contribute to changing the narrative in a meaningful way by continuing to work together to build communities where people feel heard, supported and connected.

If this message has brought up strong emotions, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14.