MEDIA ALERT
For immediate release
Lifeline World Suicide Prevention Day Walk – Tuesday September 10
What: Lifeline Hunter’s Out of the Shadows Walk to mark World Suicide Prevention Day
When: Tuesday 10th September from 6am-8am, walk commencing 6:30am.
Where: Dixon Park Surf Club to Merewether Baths, return
Lifeline Hunter will once again mark World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September with an Out of the Shadows Walk in Newcastle. The event allows opportunity to join together with other members of the local community to unite in the hope of making a difference and to raise much needed awareness and funds for suicide prevention in the Hunter.
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’ also, by asking people if they are ok and being alongside them as they answer.
CEO Lifeline Hunter, Robert Sams says “it is through awareness that we grow a greater understating of suicide and the impact it has on Australian’s 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 Hunter’s work in the region”, says Sams.
Lifeline Hunter 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, and the walk is accessible for all levels of mobility. The event will take place 10 September from Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club to Merewether Bath, return, commencing at 6:30am. Participants are asked to register for the walk at hunter.lifeline.org.au so Lifeline notify participants of any changes due to weather conditions and cater appropriately.
Lifeline’s Head of Corporate and Community Partnerships (NSW) Patrick Calabria said “the walk is a powerful way to reflect on lived experiences relating to suicide or suicide attempts. He said it will raise awareness about suicide and its prevention as well as help raise much needed funds for Lifeline Hunter 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. Mr Calabria 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 10 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 Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group who allow us to host a local walk here in Newcastle for the community through their sponsorship”.
“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”, Calabria says.
Local advocate Josh Hewitt has raised over $1,300 for Out of the Shadows Walk so far and is walking to remember his brother Jake, “this is an important yearly event for my family and me. It allows us to walk alongside others who share the experience and loss we have faced and feel a sense of connection with those who are willing to show up in the hope of making a difference and hopefully change the story for the next person in crisis. It is important we talk about suicide and continue to learn how to listen and support those around us to seek help. Funds raised all go back to Lifeline Hunter to help keep their life saving services operating, so that anyone in crisis can access help for free, 24/7.” Hewitt says.
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.
Registrations link: https://www.outoftheshadowswalk.org.au/fundraisers/LifelineNewcastleandHunter
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 – hunter.lifeline.org.au.
If this story raises issues for you, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13 Yarn on 13 92 76.
Media information: Emma Askew lldmedia@lifeline.org.au 0422 912 742
Contact details:
Emma Askew - lldmedia@lifeline.org.au - 0422 912 742
