Media Release 19 May2025
Inaugural Wesley LifeForce Suicide Memorial Service & Sunflower Ceremony in Perth brings hope to those affected by suicide
Leading suicide prevention and mental health advocates, along with those who have been impacted by the death of a loved one or friend through suicide, will gather on Monday, 19 May 2025, from 12.30-1.30pm at the Perth Conference and Exhibition Centre – Liberty Cafe, for the first-ever Wesley LifeForce Suicide Memorial Service in Perth. Held alongside the National Suicide Prevention Conference, the event will provide a space for healing, connection, and remembrance.
The service will culminate in a powerful sunflower ceremony, where attendees can place sunflowers, a symbol of strength, resilience and hope, in memory of their loved ones.
The event comes at a critical time for Western Australia. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW, 2023), the national suicide rate is 13 deaths per 100,000 people with the Kimberley region having one of the highest suicide rates in the country, with 32.9 deaths per 100,000 people. Among First Nations people in WA, the crisis is even more severe—young adults aged 25-34 face suicide rates of 87 deaths per 100,000.
Wesley Mission CEO, Rev Stu Cameron, emphasised the importance of creating spaces where grief can be shared and support can be found.
“Grief does not follow a schedule and healing looks different for everyone. Our sunflower ceremony is a chance for people to come together, honour those they have lost and find comfort in community,” says Rev Cameron.
Rev Cameron also highlighted the power of shared stories in breaking down stigma.
“Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy and by coming together, in loss we can discover connection and compassion. Our aim is to provide a space for reflection, remembrance and hope.”
The Wesley LifeForce Memorial Service will offer a safe and inclusive space for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Those attending can share messages on the memorial wall, receive support from counsellors and take part in the symbolic sunflower ceremony, a moment of collective healing and tribute.
For more information about the Wesley LifeForce Memorial Service, Wesley LifeForce Training or to access support, please visit wesleylifeforce.org.au
ENDS
Media contact: Anne Holt 0418 628 342
Available for interview:
- Wesley Mission CEO, Rev Stu Cameron
- Wesley LifeForce General Manager and suicide subject matter expert, Andy Moore
- Lived experience person
Wesley LifeForce Suicide Memorial Service
Monday 19 May 2025 Perth Conference and Exhibition Centre – Liberty Cafe
12.30 – 1.30pm
21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth WA 6000
About Wesley Mission’s Suicide Prevention work
Wesley LifeForce is a national suicide prevention program run by Wesley Mission that educates, empowers and resources local communities, supporting people most at risk. More than 40,000 people have been trained through the program during the past 15 years.
With a presence in every state, focusing on areas where the problem of suicide hits the hardest, Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention Networks are community-led action groups addressing suicide at a local level. So far, there are 130 groups across Australia representing a membership of more than 2,500 people. New networks are being established every year through the support of the Commonwealth Government and Primary Health Networks.
For further information click here.
MEDIA PLEASE NOTE: Most people – including media professionals – have been touched by suicide. For many people, the service will be one of mixed emotions. We ask that you respect the privacy of people who are attending and those participating in the service.
For safe reporting guidelines on suicide go to:
https://everymind.org.au/resources/mindframe-for-media-professionals
People who are experiencing distress can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
